The prestigious EuChemS Historical Landmark Award 2024 for the cradle of technical education.

About the Award

The EuChemS Historical Landmark Award is granted by the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) to sites that have left an indelible mark on the history of European chemistry. In 2024, Banská Štiavnica joined this elite list alongside iconic locations such as Marie Curie’s laboratories in Paris and the Liebig Museum in Giessen.

The nomination was submitted by the Slovak Chemical Society (SChemS) in December 2024. The success of this initiative highlights not only Slovakia’s historical significance in the field of science but also the importance of preserving our heritage for the whole of Europe.

The Academy of Mining – The World’s First Technical University

The foundation for this award is the historical Academy of Mining (Bergakademie) in Banská Štiavnica. Based on the decree of Empress Maria Theresa on December 13, 1762, the Mining School with the Chair of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Metallurgy was established in 1763. It was the very first institution of a technical nature in the world with university status.

In 1770, after the addition of a third chair focusing on mining and mining law, the institution received its official title: The Academy of Mining. Its establishment was the pinnacle of efforts to train high-level experts in mining and metallurgy, confirming Banská Štiavnica’s key position in the technical world of that era.

The Cradle of European Chemical Research

During the 18th century, the Academy became a hub for European research. Its success lay in the application of modern scientific principles and precise technological procedures.

• Experimental Education: The Academy became famous for introducing experimental teaching methods based on precise measurement and weighing. These procedures significantly contributed to revolutionary changes in the understanding of chemical processes and to the final acceptance of Lavoisier’s oxidation theory (refuting the phlogiston theory prevalent at the time).
• World-Class Personalities: The Chair of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Metallurgy was led by internationally renowned professors:
  • Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin (the first professor of the chair),
  • Giovanni Antonio Scopoli,
  • Anton Leopold Ruprecht.
• The Millennium Project: The significance of A. L. Ruprecht was further confirmed by his inclusion in the list of the 100 most important European chemists of the 18th to 20th centuries within the „Millennium Project“ (organized by the Federation of European Chemical Societies – the predecessor of EuChemS). Ruprecht was one of only 12 scientists nominated from the 18th century.

Although the Academy of Mining ended its activities in Banská Štiavnica in 1918, its profound influence on chemistry, metallurgy, and the European Research Area persists to this day.

News and Planned Ceremony

The granting of the award will be accompanied by the ceremonial unveiling of a commemorative plaque directly in the historical center of Banská Štiavnica.

• Ceremony Date: The official ceremony is planned for September 2026.
• Patronage: The event has gained extraordinary social importance – the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico, has taken patronage over the ceremony. Support has also been expressed by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic and the Mayor of Banská Štiavnica, Nadežda Babiaková.
• Commemorative Plaque: The plaque will feature text in both English and Slovak, along with a QR code linking to webpage with more informations.

Text on the Commemorative Plaque (Slovak version):

„Na pripomenutie Baníckej akadémie v Banskej Štiavnici (Schemnitz), založenej v roku 1762 cisárovnou Máriou Teréziou ako prvej technickej univerzity na svete, a jej Katedry chémie a mineralógie, ktorých priekopnícka činnosť zásadne ovplyvnila rozvoj chémie v Európe, sa tomuto miestu udeľuje ocenenie EuChemS Historical Landmark na európskej úrovni.“

Text on the Commemorative Plaque (English version):

„In recognition of the Mining Academy in Banská Štiavnica (historically known as Schemnitz), founded in 1762 by Empress Maria Theresa as the world’s first technical university, and of its Department of Chemistry and Mineralogy,
whose pioneering work profoundly influenced the development of chemistry in Europe, the site is designated as a EuChemS Historical Landmark at the European level.“