Treasures of Earth
The exposition is located on the 2nd floor.
This mineralogy exposition features more than 700 types of minerals from 1,100 samples from Slovak sites and abroad. The exhibits are arranged based on Strunz’s classification of minerals. Representative samples of certain ore regions of Slovakia and large mineral samples dominate this exposition. The most noteworthy samples from Slovak sites include kermesite from Pezinok, druses of stibnite needles and samples of gold from Kremnica, silver minerals from Banská Štiavnica and opals from eastern Slovakia. Samples from foreign sites include hessite from Romania, azurite crystals from Namibia, fluorites, beryls, tourmalines and rubies from Tanzania, Brazilian agates and may others. This systematic collection of minerals is complemented by examples of cut and decorative stones from several important sites in Slovakia, Australia, Mexico and Russia. Historical mining maps recreate the atmosphere in mining towns and their rich history. Banská Štiavnica, Kremnica, Banská Bystrica and several locations in Spišsko-gemerské Rudohorie (mountain range) contained significant deposits of precious metals, polymetallic ores and other industrial minerals. The exposition also provides more detailed information on the chemical composition, physical characteristics, manner of origin, occurrence and industrial use of the approximately one hundred most common minerals in a computer program that is available to the public.
Exposition design: RNDr. Eva Nelišerová, RNDr. Oľga Belešová, CSc., RNDr. Oto Miko, CSc.
Artistic design: Milan Veselý
Implementation: N&V Design s.r.o.
