Žiar nad Hronom is a city in Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia.
Culture
Landmarks
- Šášov Castle – A ruin of gothic castle, dated first half of the 13th century, guarding the Hron gorge. It is located in the city’s part of Šášovské Podhradie. The first written record dates back to 1253. The castle became a royal castle in the 14th century. It had multiple owners in the difficult 17th century. It was captured by the anti-Habsburg Kuruc troops of Emeric Thököly and later regained by the imperial army. As its importance declined and due to numerous falls, the fortress was abandoned in the 18th century.
- Roman Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – A single-nave, classical church with two towers and a rectangular presbytery. It was built on top of an older structure at the initiative of the Bishop of Banská Bystrica Gabriel Zerdahely. The facade is dominated by a portico of Toscan pillars, topped by a triangular tympanum, bearing Bishop Zerdahely’s coat of arms. The segmented attic is decorated by a Latin inscription reading: “Fugite partes adversae” (“Begone, all evil powers!”, as written in the prayer of exorcism by St. Anthony of Padua). The towers are lined with pilasters and topped with a crowning ledge. A crypt below the church contains the remains of Štefan Moyses and Michal Chrástek.
- Roman Catholic Church of St. Lawrence in Horné Opatovce – The historically gothic structure with polygonal presbytery and an ejected tower was reconstructed between 1710 – 1711, 1777 and finally in 1911, which added some Neo-Roman elements. Facade is decorated by frieze, supportive pillars and chambranles. The tower is topped by a pyramid helmet.
- Bishop’s chateau – The four-wing, three-level building with two corner towers and from the late-Renaissance and Baroque era, from 1631. It is built on top of medieval foundation. The last major reconstruction took place between 1850 – 1869, when the upper floor was built. Chateau’s facade is decorated by chambranle windows and window cornices. The chateau neighbours a park, which was developed in the second half of the 18th century.
Monuments
- Štefan Moyses Statue at Matica slovenská Square
- Ladislav Exnár Monument at Dr. Jánsky Street
- Michal Chrástek Monument
- Karol Dúbravský Monument
Museums
- Archeological Exposition and Gallery of the Archeological Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences
Observatories
- Regional Maximilián Hell Observatory and Planetarium
