Europe Explored » rotunda https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Kremnica – historic town with the oldest mint in the world | Slovakia https://europeexplored.com/2011/05/15/kremnica-historic-town-with-the-oldest-mint-in-the-world-slovakia/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/05/15/kremnica-historic-town-with-the-oldest-mint-in-the-world-slovakia/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 06:58:36 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=3800 Kremnica is a historic city with a rich mining and mint tradition. It is located in the central part of the Slovak Republic, in Kremnica mountains at an altitude of 561 m. Near the town of Kremnica there is one of the geographic centres of Europe. Kremnica has now about 6,000 inhabitants. During the reign […]

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Kremnica is a historic city with a rich mining and mint tradition. It is located in the central part of the Slovak Republic, in Kremnica mountains at an altitude of 561 m. Near the town of Kremnica there is one of the geographic centres of Europe. Kremnica has now about 6,000 inhabitants.

During the reign of Hungarian kings Kremnica was a free royal mining town. Gold and silver were mined here from the 10th century. Kremnica ducats – one of the most valuable coins in Europe were minted here, as well as Czechoslovak and then Slovak coins, but also for many countries around the world.

Mint in Kremnica is significant because it works continuously since its founding in the 14th century until today, as the only one in the world. Mint in Kremnica offers its visitors the opportunity to see the interesting exhibits of coins, and walk through the old mint from 1881-1889. There is a preserved area with part of the historical plant and machinery.

Mint in Kremnica is open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 16:00. And on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30.

Admission for adults is € 2.66 and € 1.49 for children. Museum of coins and medals is managed by the Slovak National Bank

Other sights in Kremnica
Kremnica is really rich in historical monuments. The dominant feature of the town is Kremnica Castle from the 13th century and its defensive system. There you can see also St. Catherine Castle from the mid 15th century, Charnel of St. Andrew from the 13th century (Romanesque rotunda with preserved charnel-house) and a small clock tower from the 14th century.

Since 1970, the castle complex is a national cultural monument. Also noteworthy is the Town Hall of 14th century, Mining bastion, the Immaculata sculpture from the years 1760 – 1765, town house dating back to 1441 and the Roman – Catholic parish from the 14th century.


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Mosta Dome – the third largest unsupported dome in the World | Malta https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/28/mosta-dome-the-third-largest-unsupported-dome-in-the-world-malta/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/28/mosta-dome-the-third-largest-unsupported-dome-in-the-world-malta/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:16:32 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2931 In the heart of the island of Malta you can find city of Mosta, which is one of the areas with the longest history. It is a small and very nice city with just 17,000 inhabitants and full of historical monuments. Since it is not overcrowded with tourists, you can enjoy a clean and unspoiled […]

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In the heart of the island of Malta you can find city of Mosta, which is one of the areas with the longest history. It is a small and very nice city with just 17,000 inhabitants and full of historical monuments. Since it is not overcrowded with tourists, you can enjoy a clean and unspoiled Maltese culture here.

Mosta Dome, Malta
Mosta Dome, Malta by Väsk

Mosta is a peaceful city where you should spend at least few days of your holidays. Although it’s far away of the sea, this “lack” is replaced by the great number of monuments, the city look, nice atmosphere, many restaurants, shopping and entertainment centres. Mosta can be regarded as a quiet place, perfect for relaxing. On the streets you meet mainly Maltese, therefore the life here is not adapted to the hectic tourist style. Mosta is famous for a popular Beer Festival, which is regularly organized each summer. On the streets you can hear modern music and see the people dancing and the whole atmosphere is really unforgettable.

The symbol of Mosta is monumental parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady known as Mosta Dome or simply Rotunda. It is the work of George Grognet de Vasse – the Maltese architect of French origin, who was inspired by the Roman Pantheon. The building is clearly visible from almost all parts of the island. It is the fourth largest dome in Europe and the third largest unsupported dome in the World.

Construction of Mosta Dome on main square began in 1833 and was completed about forty years later. The building was associated with many problems – perhaps the biggest problem and the most hated by the people was its circular ground plan, because the church looked like a pagan or a mosque. Mosta Dome began to be built as a shell over the older church, which was during the construction normally in operation until 1860. Another problem was lack of funding, therefore cupola was established without scaffolding.

At the entrance to the Mosta Dome you will be amazed of richly decorated interior. Ceiling is very similar, and similarly impressive as in the Roman Pantheon. Very beautiful is especially the main altar and paintings by renowned Maltese painter Giuseppe Cali.

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Sněžka – the highest peak of Czech republic – 1602m https://europeexplored.com/2011/01/09/snezka-the-highest-peak-of-czech-republic-1602m/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/01/09/snezka-the-highest-peak-of-czech-republic-1602m/#comments Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:39:12 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2250 Sněžka – with its height of 1602m is the highest peak of Krkonoše Mountains and also the highest point of the Czech Republic. It is located in the north-east part of the Czech Republic and is divided with the borders between the Czech Republic and Poland. Sněžka is not forested, therefore offers a panoramic view […]

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Sněžka – with its height of 1602m is the highest peak of Krkonoše Mountains and also the highest point of the Czech Republic. It is located in the north-east part of the Czech Republic and is divided with the borders between the Czech Republic and Poland.

Sněžka is not forested, therefore offers a panoramic view of the Czech Republic and Poland in good weather. This makes Sněžka frequent tourist destination. To the top you can get through several hiking trails from the Czech or Polish side. Probably the most beautiful leads through Obří důl. It takes about 3 hours walking to get to Sněžka from the most of the resorts.

The oldest building on top is a Polish rotunda chapel of St. Lawrence, which was built in the 17th century. Sněžka has, among other things, the highest post office in the Czech Republic, inaugurated in 2007.


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