This was the first mining academy and one of the first technical academies in the world.
It was founded by Maria Theresa in 1762, building on the Mining School (Berg schola) that Samuel Mikovíni had established back in 1735. Chemistry, mineralogy, metallurgy, mechanics, physics, mathematics and mining engineering were taught here. A little later a Forestry Academy was also founded. The lessons were in German and later in Hungarian. In 1961 the extensive complex of buildings was declared a national cultural monument. Today the academy grounds are home to the Botanical Garden, with more than 200 species of trees and shrubs. There is also a stop here for the Štiavnická Anča sightseeing road train, which starts its circular tour on Holy Trinity Square and returns there at the end.
