It was a bright summer day last August 2024, were in the garden and suddenly my husband asked me a question, do you know where the center of Europe is?? And honestly, I don't know the answer and then he replied, in Slovakia. To know where it is he told us “Mama, you and Aya need to prepare quickly. We will visit the place. Quickly changed and hopped inside the car. He drove all the way to Kremnické Bane. From our home to Kremnicke Bane it is 2 hours traveling. He really wants us to explore their beautiful country.
After almost 2 hours of driving, we found ourselves in a peaceful and quiet little village in Central Slovakia. We finally arrived in Kremnické Bane, is a small village and municipality in Kremnické Bane is a village and municipality in Žiar nad Hronom District in the Banská Bystrica Region of central Slovakia. The small village proudly holds the title of geographical center of Europe.
It’s not a fancy place like I’ve been before. The ocean, beautiful beaches, and grand mountains it's so different. The most profound moment when I’m there comes from the peaceful and simple village. It was something special and I”m so proud that I'm on the spot of “Center of Europe”. It was a remarkable experience, not just for me but also for Aya.
The place has no elegant buildings, no souvenir shops for tourists and it's now a crowded place. But the more beautiful thing was its just fresh mountain air and just a few scattered homes. I really love the place and I really appreciate nature. It gives me peace and a clear mind. And a sense of wonder to remind me how beautiful our mother earth is. It's not just the nature I appreciate but also the history of the little village, Kremnické Bane.
⛪The Church in the Middle of Europe-St. John the Baptist.⛪
There was a historical church and we parked just beside it. It's the Church of St. John the Baptist. It is a beautiful Gothic small church and for the 13th century until now it has been preserved for history. It rose silently among the trees and green hills, as if watching over the land and the stories for its past and present days. Church of St. John is the silent witness to centuries of history. As you can see on the photo, the sky was blue and I know you cannot feel the sun was hot because it was summer that time. It was a beautiful day, I felt peace and the place was sacred. That time the church was closed, So sad we did not explore the small church in the Center of Europe.
🪨The Stone That Marks the Center of Europe-Kremnické Bane.🪨
Just a short walk from the church, there was a stone that stood up. At the heart of everything, the simple stone monument with a plaque declared that this spot as the geographical center of Europe. There was nothing extravagant or dramatic at all, only the statement of Europe’s center.
No fountain or light around it and it was a simple stone plague design that symbolizes the simplicity of the village. The most important thing about its simplicity was it meant something important. It is the pride and honor of the small village surrounded by mountains that in the heart of the continent is part of it. Just the stone with words carved into it that people will know from generations to generations the history of it.
It felt so special, it felt real that we're finally here in the Center of Europa.
As we continue walking around the place, just to feel the fresh air from the mountain. And my Aya running around the place. She has a big area of running around. Watching her have freedom, spread her wings like a bird and enjoy the beautiful view. Watching her, the beauty and history is just around the corner. Not only the famous places and big cities, but even in the small villages they have history to tell.
It's a good spot to stop for a road trip if you visit the nearby area. The place is safe and the parking is just near the church.
It wasn’t a long visit to Kremnické Bane. We walked around the church, Aya running around, breathing fresh mountain air and listening to the silence. Exactly what our hearts and soul needs, immersed in our nature.
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