Technical Monuments

Slovakia, although historically an agrarian country, is also rich in technical monuments. The country was no exception as far as the past developments in the sphere of technology and industries in Europe are concerned. Slovakia occupied an eminent position in the area of extraction and processing of ores. Technical monuments that survive here are the witnesses of not only the mining but also industrial production in general. Technical monuments perhaps belong to the most threatened type of monuments that are decaying literally in front of our eyes. In recent years, numerous technical monuments and their important parts, which were not even documented, disappeared. It also is the reason why this book was published. Its mission is to promote and support first the documentation of important and valuable monuments and eventually their conservation. The book is also intended to raise the awareness of the public about the value of the technical heritage and its protection and conservation.

With regards to cultural and historic monuments and country’s landmarks, technical monuments may not be as attractive but each of them enshrines a piece of history with its unique charm. They amount to several hundreds in Slovakia. Mills, water reservoirs, mines and bridges are the most abundantly represented. Many of them have become destinations or parts of tourist tracks. This book informs visitors about the technical monuments they may run into along their wanderings across Slovakia. Texts are complemented by old postcards, maps or plans and, of course, photographs.