See different photos of this trip at my Slovak Blog
The ancient, royal, and mining town of Kremnica is embraced by Kremnica mountains in central Slovakia. Kremnica with its gold mining tradition, beauty and historical monuments including one of the oldest world mints, belongs to the most interesting towns in Slovakia. It is also a protected urban conservation area. Near Kremnica, in Turcianska Basin, lies one of the oldest spas in central Europe, the spa town of Turčianske Teplice. Kremnica was the owner of this spa more than 400 years (1533-1947) and had merit in its construction and development. On this journey, as an accredited tourist guide, I will accompany you and show you the beauty of Kremnica and its surroundings. Just write me and I will organize an unforgettable trip.
Medicinal thermal spring in Turčianske Teplice Spa, Slovakia
Itinerary :
11:57 to 12:35 Train Station Turc. Teplice – Kremnica
12:45 to 13:15 Walk from Kremnica station to the city center
14:00 to 16:00 Tour of landmarks of the city – urban castle
16:30 to 18:00 Snacks in the restaurant, walk through the city
18:15 to 18:25 Arrival to the Kremnica train station (or walk) by bus from the city
19:46 to 20:30 Return by the train from Kremnica to Turč. Teplice
Find route on the map
Download .kmz file – the map in Google Earth
Route length 28 km | climb 850 m | sink 722 m
If we wish to go back to the ancient time of fame and wealth of Kremnica, we will undertake a romantic, half-day trip to Kremnica by the railway, from Turčianske Teplice through Kremnica forested hills. This challenging train line will remind us years of its construction in 1870-1872. The railway has changed from an altitude of 260.62m above sea level in the Hron valley to 773m above sea level in the Kremnické Bane station on the 35 km long section. Usually, a motor train which consists of 1-2 carriages runs on this railway line. Thus, we will get on the train at the Turčianske Teplice train station. Then, the train will pass grain fields along villages Dolná Štubňa, Horná Štubňa to the Horná Štubňa main station, where is a connection to the town of Prievidza, the railway line from 1931 connecting Turiec with Ponitrie region. We continue on our way and the terrain gradually is increasing, the train passes hills of the countryside Turček, where also live descendants of German settlers. From the train, we can see a church in the valley surrounded by houses. and the remains of the Turček aqueduct from the 15th century, which is a part of the most important technological world heritage.
Village Turček
Then, the next stop is the Kremnické Bane station, near which is the St. John Baptist Church from 1300. The location is considered to be a geographical center of Europe.
Village Kremnické Bane
Then, mountain region is suddenly getting higher, and we will pass through four tunnels in Kremnica hills; Turček (37 meters), Blaufus (531m), Kremnický (122m), and Sohler (65 m). Between the hills, down the valley we can see from different view angles the town of Kremnica with its majestic castle surrounded by a double fortification. We travel through a forest above the Soler valley (also called Zvolenská valley), and then we will soon terminate in the Kremnica train station. All the journey takes about 45 minutes.
Kremnica Castle between hills
The station is on the hill and into the city below leads a long twisty paved path that will offer us several splendid views of Kremnica. Within 15-20 minutes, we are in downtown, where our tour begins.
Pavement to Kremnica downtown
We will be greeted by an impressive historic Lower Gate with fortifications. It is the entry to the Štefánik Square walled with valuable Gothic and Renaissance burgher houses, among which is the Gothic Town Hall from the 15th century and Franciscan church with monastery from the 17th century.
Towards Lower Gate
A paved path across the park in the center of the square leads us to a small hill in downtown. On the way, we cannot notice the breathtaking baroque Trinity Column from the 18th century.
Trinity Column in Kremnica
Slowly, we get to the landmark of the city, to the entrance stairs of the castle from the 14th century. We walk through the Parish tower, where is located the casket for the public. Before us appears the late Roman Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron of the city. The church is attached to a tower, which is the highest building of the castle area. The entrance to the Tower leads on 127 rotating stairs that provide a fantastic view of the surrounding area. The castle area was in medieval a religious and administrative center of the city. Today there are worships and international organ concerts with great acoustics.
St.Catherine.Church.Interior, Kremnica
In addition to these areas, the oldest building of the complex is the Romanesque Rotunda (Karner), in the basement with a charnel house and the upper part with a chapel. The entrance from the north was protected through the North Tower. The tower has a stone bridge on the outboard sides. Another bastion is the Small Tower, where is the exposure of Kremnica bells. The biggest secular building of the castle complex is the City Hall, where City Council met until 1560. Close is the Mining Bastion, which was originally a semi-circular bastion fortification.
St.Catherine Church Exterior, Kremnica
After visiting the castle, we will be returning along the Castle Square, then passing the aisle of Famous Noses, where are the face statues of celebrities who handed out humour during the life. We will walk alongside the late Gothic house with a gate connected to Štefánik Square. Then we get on top of the square and on the right side, we see one of the world’s oldest mints – Kremnica mint. If you wish to relax with a coffee or other beverage, right above the mint is Permoník restaurant, or on your left is the Florén restaurant in the building from the 16th century. Below is the Museum of Coins and Medals in the historical houses of Gothic style. A restaurant with specialities from hunting is inviting us opposite on the square.
After visiting the Kremnica Castle, we go for cafe and cappuccino …
Next, we will walk through the Upper and Lower Gate, which are a part of the fortifications of the 15 th century. We’ll turn to the left walking along the city walls. After a few minutes, we will reach the bus stop close to the stream flowing through the city. A local bus going to the village Ihráč, Nevolné or Psychiatric Clinic, takes us to the Kremnica train station up the hill. It is early evening and the motor train is coming from the town of Zvolen. Tired, we will take seats by the window on the left side of the train to see the evening Kremnica in the valley, from the mountain railway line between Kremnica hills.
We are returning by train through Kremnica hills
We will take the same railway line as on arrival to Kremnica. The train will arrive in Turčianske Teplice in the evening. We are getting off the train to the modern town leaving behind us an impressive part of the history that we have just lived among beautiful Kremnica hills.
Lighthouse again 