Zborník - Mesto Nitra

in the Spiš region. The final products made in this Foudry – the lovely ringing bells andunique baptisteries made between 1357 – 1516 that we can find not only in the Spiš region,but also in the territories of Gemer, Liptov, and in the towns Bardejov, Košice, as well asKrakow in Poland. We will record the 655 th anniversary of the first written reference toKonrad Gaal in 2012 in Spišská Nová Ves. On this occasion, a gentle reminder for the famousGaal Bell Foundry will be embedded in Spišská Nová Ves in 2012. It will be the interactivemonument of Konrad Gaal. The Author of this monument is a renowned Academic SculptorŠtefan Kovaľ from Vyšné Ružbachy. The construction of the sculpture was ensured by theMunicipality of Spišská Nová Ves and financed by the company Lesy mesta Spišská NováVes, s.r.o. As a bell has also been representing the link between Heaven and Earth since longago, this symbolism becomes the main topic when embedding the sculpture. Each visitor willbe allowed to enter the half-bell and express his/her most secret desire. After striking the bellwhich is installed in the half-bell, the expressed desire will fly out to the spheric kingdom ofheaven. That is why this place holds the characteristic name „the Place of Wishes“.The MOST INTERESTING ATTRACTIONS in Spišská Nová VesIntroduction of some unique attractions in the town of Spišská Nová Ves and itssurroundins:THE LONGEST lens-shaped public square in EuropeThe lens-shaped Square is 1250 m long, 250 m wide and enlosed by the beautiful burgher´shouses and Province House from the year 1763 along its circumeference, or a baroquebuilding in which the Spiš Gallery is situated presently. The Province House was theresidency of the Province Administration for 16 Spiš towns with attractive stucco reliefs – it isthe Seat of the Spiš Museum on the present.The town is proud of the important historical buildings in the centre of the Square, such as:Catholic Church of the Translation of Virgin Mary, the Classic Evangelical Church built atthe end of the 18 th Century, the Classicist building of Town Hall, or the Art Noveau buildingof Reduta built between the 19 th and 20 th Centuries – the Spiš Theatre on the present.THE TALLEST tower of the Church in Slovakia which is made accessible (87 m high)The most typical part of the town´s silhouette represents the Neo-Gothic Tower of the RomanCatholic Church of the Translation of Virgin Mary which was built between 1892 and 1893following the design of Prof. Imrich Steindl.There are seven clock-faces at the four sides of it that are driven by one-clock mechanism.It provides spectacular views of the city and surroundings and the visitors have theopportunity to admire its five bells when stepping up the stairs.The sculptures of four Evangelists are placed on the tower, the height of which is 3,25 m andweight 800 kg.THE SMALLEST AND YOUNGEST ZOO in SlovakiaThe smallest, youngest and most beautiful ZOO in Slovakia covers an area of 7,8 hectares.There are 250 animals and 70 species in this Zoo. The Aquaterra Pavilion was established in2012. The Arboretum is also an integral part of the Zoo with more than 30 plant species.THE WORLD´S LARGEST glass cross placed in the ChurchThe two 38-meter monolithic towers are also a distinctive architectural feature of the church.The green single-arm cross from the folded glass and stainless steel (5,6 m height and 3,6 mspan) is located in the space between the towers. The exhibition of gifts received by PopeJohn Paul II. on his apostolic trips is made accessible to the public after the Masses.50