Slovakia. New Silver Coin in Heritage Sites Series Features Historic Hamlet in Eastern Slovakia

The latest coin in the on-going series highlighting historical sites and Slovakian heritage focuses on the historical centre of Kežmarok, a town in the Spiš region of present-day eastern Slovakia, which was declared a national heritage site on the 11th June 1950. The site includes a castle complex, a group of two Lutheran churches and a former Lutheran lyceum school, as well as a gymnasium and a primary school. Kežmarok was one of the medieval centres of the Spiš region, and the many remarkable buildings reflect its rich history and strategic location. Situated in the Poprad River valley, Kežmarok is sheltered by the High Tatra and Belianske Tatra mountains. It originally consisted of three separate settlements at the intersection of trade routes leading to Poland, and the larger towns of Levoča and Prešov in Slovakia. In 1269, Kežmarok received its town charter from King Bela IV of Hungary, and it became a fortified settlement as early as the 14th century.

The town’s appearance over the centuries has reflected the impact of fires, invasions and the expansion of its charter rights by King Sigismund in the 15th century when the Basilica of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was rebuilt. The town hall’s foundations were laid and a low-lying castle was constructed but, great fire in 1521 destroyed around 340 houses and shops surrounding the castle. Their restoration followed, as did the construction of a Renaissance belfry and a gymnasium school. In the 17th century, the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected. The Baroque period further enriched the town with a wooden Lutheran church, a Lutheran lyceum school and its library, the Reduta public hall building and a renovated town hall. The last significant landmark in Kežmarok to be built in the 19^th century was in 1892 when the New Lutheran Church was completed. The historical core of Kežmarok, encompassing the castle area and the Lutheran churches and lyceum, was declared a national heritage site in 1950 in recognition of its historical value, documenting the town’s evolution from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

The coins are produced by the Kremnica Mint at their facilities in the town of the same name and designed by artist Karol Licko. The obverse depicts an historic panorama of Kežmarok, with its landmark buildings standing out and the High Tatra Mountains towering in the background. Inscribed along the upper rim is SLOVENSKO and the year of issue 2025. Below the design is the coin’s denomination 20 EURO and separated with the Slovak coat of arms.

The reverse features an image of Kežmarok’s architectural landmarks, set in relief above an outline of the castle’s decorative parapet, with the Basilica of the Holy Cross in the foreground and the townhouses, town hall tower, and New Lutheran Church in the background. The name KEŽMAROK is placed above the primary design while the text PAMIATKOVÁ REZERVÁCIA (Heritage Site) is placed below the design. To the left of the inscription is the town’s coat of arms. To the lower right are the stylised initials KL of the coin’s designer, Karol Ličko and just next to the basilica tower is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint consisting of the letters MK placed between two dies. The incused edge inscription reads NAJKRAJŠIE HISTORICKÉ MESTÁ (Most beautiful historical towns)

Available from the 16^th June, both BU and proof versions are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Kremnica Mint – official distributors.