(source: Marcela Ballová)
One of the most popular tourist villages in the midst of the mountains in the Banská Bystrica Region has unexpectedly revealed a secret. For many years it was hidden in a metal tip with a cross, adorning the tower of a local church from 1254.
Paradoxically, it was discovered thanks to a bad event.
During an exceptionally strong storm that swept through the village of Špania Dolina on Thursday, July 11, the precious church was struck by lightning. The lightning damaged its roof covered with wooden shingles, sparing nothing, not even its tower, which collapsed.
"The local people always said that there was definitely some treasure hidden in there somewhere. And there really was, because inside the broken part of the tower, left lying on the roof of the church after the lightning strike, we discovered a box containing coins from 1858 and two historical documents," said Martina Wilhelmerová, Špania Dolina Mayor.
A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers a travel guide of Slovakia. (source: Spectacular Slovakia)
Thanks to skilled specialists, the damaged area on the roof was restored in early July.
The locals, who are proud of the rich mining history of the picturesque village, also lent a helping hand in clearing up the aftermath of the strong storm.
"The regional preservationists will now look at the find. We would certainly be happy if it returned to our village so that we could display it for tourists to admire," added the mayor.
According to Matúš Kucbel, a clinical psychologist from Banská Bystrica and organist in the church, took to social media, posting that the find is probably a time capsule stored in the tower during a roof restoration in the past
"There was also a metal envelope in the metal box, which may be even older and have been a part of the baroque mail. These findings are currently being documented. By re-storing them in the time capsule, we will be happy to make them available to the public, in connection with some nice event. Špania Dolina never ceases to surprise, amaze and fascinate," wrote Kucbel.
©My Bystrica
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