Staré Hory | |
Settlement Type: | Village |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Slovakia |
Subdivision Type2: | Region |
Subdivision Name2: | Banská Bystrica |
Subdivision Type3: | District |
Subdivision Name3: | Banská Bystrica |
Pushpin Map: | Slovakia Banská Bystrica Region#Slovakia |
Pushpin Relief: | 1 |
Coordinates: | 48.8333°N 26°W |
Leader Title: | Mayor Ing.Marián Gajdoš |
Established Title: | First mentioned |
Established Date: | 1536 |
Area Total Km2: | 41.56[1] |
Area Total Sq Mi: | 16.05 |
Elevation M: | 539[2] |
Elevation Ft: | 1,768 |
Population Total: | 549[3] |
Population Density Km2: | 13.23[4] |
Population Density Sq Mi: | 5.11 |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 976 02 |
Area Code: | +421 48 |
Blank Name: | Car plate |
Blank Info: | BB |
Staré Hory (Hungarian: Óhegy) is a village in the Banská Bystrica Region in Central Slovakia. It is situated in the Staré Hory Mountains, between the Veľká Fatra and Low Tatra mountain ranges. As of the end of 2019, the village had a population of 555.
The copper deposits in the vicinity of the village were exploited as early as 2000–1700 BC. The stone tools used by prehistoric miners have been found both in Staré Hory and the nearby village of Špania Dolina. However, the name of the village was mentioned for the first time in 1536. In the 16th century, a smelting plant was built there. After the mining industry declined, the main economic activity shifted from the production of copper and charcoal to making bobbin lace. Merchants from Staré Hory were selling bobbin lace all over Austria-Hungary.
A natural spring with a statue of Virgin Mary near Staré Hory is a traditional place of pilgrimage. There is also a Baroque church, originally built in the 15th century, situated in the village. This church dons the status of a minor basilica as classified by the Roman Catholic Church, the Basilica of the Visitation.