(source: TASR)
The Slovak Mining Museum has come up with an idea to please collectors and raise money for the restoration of the famous Berggericht museum - a thousand unique medallions have been produced from the remains on the fire-damaged roof of one of the dominant buildings in Banská Štiavnica's Square of the Holy Trinity. They are currently being offered to the public.
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"The medallions from the destroyed copper roof, marked by soot from last year's fire, preserve part of the authentic story of Banská Štiavnica. They are also a tangible link to the building's rich past. The production of these medallions represents a symbolic act in preserving our society's history and cultural heritage," said Martina Kminiaková from the aforementioned museum, adding that those interested will not only acquire a rare and unique artifact, but will also contribute to the preservation of the Berggericht for future generations.
"The medallions can be purchased directly from the museum in Banská Štiavnica, specifically in the Kammerhof, the mining museum in nature, the New Castle venue, the Old Castle venue and the Jozef Kollár Gallery. The price of one medallion is €10," said Kminiaková.
Demolition feared
The fire that engulfed Marína Pischlová's Renaissance house on March 18, 2023, also known for the Bank of Love that was opened in it more than six years ago, gradually spread to six other buildings.
Berggericht, which houses the Slovak Mining Museum and Information Centre, was also damaged. The building served as the seat of a mining court between 1792 and 1854, ruling on legal issues related to mining, mining rights and disputes between miners and mining companies.
"Since 1860, the building has been used by the Mining Academy. The building housed lecture halls, a library, mineralogical collections and the apartment of the professor of geology and mineralogy," said Kminiaková.
It also housed a rare mineralogical exhibition with over four hundred types of minerals from all over the world.
Immediately after the fire, there were fears the rare building had been so damaged by the fire that it would have to be torn down.
But the Environment Ministry later confirmed that Berggericht was statically sound. The fire mainly affected its roof and truss.
Half a year after the devastating event, a temporary roof was constructed for the Berggericht museum.
Money from recovery plan also available
Nadežda Babiaková, Banská Štiavnica Mayor, confirmed that the reconstruction of all the buildings damaged by the fire has been ensured.
However, it takes time to process projects, and public calls for contractors take a very long time. In heritage-protected buildings, they must be preceded by a heritage survey.
"Most should be reconstructed by the end of 2025, but for some, where the damage was of a greater extent, the restoration will certainly take longer. Whether it is Marína's house, the house next to it, the elementary art school or Berggericht. The adjacent building, which is privately owned, already has a new roof. Cleaning work is still ongoing in Marína's house. The state mining archive built part of the roof after the fire, and it is currently being covered with copper roofing. The house on Dolná Ružová Street also has a roof and windows," explained Babiaková.
She added that the town received €4 million from the state to restore the building of the elementary art school.
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