Just a short distance from Banská Bystrica, nestled among the mountains, lies Špania Dolina. A village with a rich mining history, an unmistakable church silhouette and a sense of calm you will feel the moment you arrive. Its narrow lanes, old miners’ houses, surrounding forests and views across the valleys invite you to step outside, look around and savour every moment spent in the mountains.

A Village with a Rich Past

The story of Špania Dolina began long before it first appeared in written records. Stone hammers, crushing tools and stone slabs discovered at the Piesky site provide evidence that copper ore was being extracted and processed here as early as prehistoric times. Related archaeological finds date the earliest mining activities to approximately the 4th millennium BC – more than five thousand years ago.

At first, the ore was extracted mainly from the surface, from exposed or shallow mineral veins. Only later did miners follow the copper deeper underground. The greatest period of prosperity came at the end of the 15th and during the first half of the 16th century. Mining expert and entrepreneur Ján Thurzo combined his knowledge with the capital and business connections of the Augsburg merchant Jakob Fugger. Together, they established the Thurzo–Fugger Company – one of the most important mining and trading enterprises in Europe at the time. In 1494, Ján Thurzo began constructing the Ferdinand Shaft in Špania Dolina, marking the beginning of the most prosperous period in the village’s mining history.

Copper from the Banská Bystrica mining district, of which Špania Dolina was an important part, travelled through an extensive trade network across Europe. From Antwerp, it was transported to Lisbon, and Portuguese ships then carried it by sea as far as India. Centuries ago, this small mountain mining village was therefore already part of a trading network connecting central Slovakia with distant lands.

Traces of this past can still be found throughout Špania Dolina – in the landscape shaped by mining, its traditional houses and old shafts, as well as in the stories of local people. Wander through its lanes, climb to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and discover a history that remains present at every turn.

Nature at Your Doorstep

The forest begins just beyond the last houses. The surrounding area offers leisurely walks, hiking trails and cycling routes with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys. Every season has its own atmosphere. Spring brings the scent of the forest awakening, summer offers long days for exploring, autumn fills the landscape with rich colours, and winter blankets the mountain village in peaceful silence.

What Can You Experience?

• a walk through the historic lanes
• visits to mining heritage sites
• a climb to the church and views over the village
• hiking in the surrounding mountains
• cycling and e-bike trips
• peaceful moments in nature
• local traditions, crafts and stories

Špania Dolina Through the Eyes of Locals

We are more than just your hosts. Špania Dolina is our home and a place to which we feel deeply connected.

We will be happy to take you for a walk and show you both its well-known sights and the hidden corners you might otherwise miss. We will tell you about the village’s past, the lives of its miners and what it is like to live here today.

Do not expect a rehearsed lecture. Think of it instead as a relaxed and personal encounter with the place, its people and their stories.

Stay a Little Longer

Špania Dolina nie je miestom, ktoré treba iba rýchlo navštíviť. Najlepšie ju spoznáte, keď sa vydáte do jej uličiek, okolitých lesov a necháte sa viesť vlastnou zvedavosťou.

Stay at Sonnenberg and experience the village from a peaceful morning until evening settles over the mountains. After a day of exploring, unwind in the sauna or hot tub and simply enjoy some well-deserved time to relax.

Set out and explore. Breathe deeply. Savour life.

Choose Your Stay at Sonnenberg

A family weekend, time together as a couple, a getaway with friends or active days in nature. Choose your staythat allows you to discover Špania Dolina in your own way.