Central Slovakia was once among the wealthiest and most developed regions of the former Kingdom of Hungary and, more broadly, in Europe, primarily due to its extensive precious metal mining activities. Historically characterised by significant social, economic, and technological development, the region now faces two primary challenges: unbalanced spatial development, marked by the decline of smaller cities and rural areas, particularly in villages located farther from urban centres, and the underutilisation of sustainable tourism initiatives as a means to address this issue. Pilgrimage tourism presents a promising approach to mitigating these challenges, particularly given the existence of the Barbora Cultural Pilgrimage Route. This route connects historically significant mining sites and serves as a conduit for showcasing the region’s tangible, intangible, and industrial heritage. It highlights the natural beauty and historical significance of copper, gold, and silver mining in the mountains of Slovakia. This chapter examines the Barbora Cultural Pilgrimage Route as a potential catalyst for the sustainable development of Central Slovakia, offering insights that may serve as a model for other similar regions in Europe and beyond. In addition to a detailed analysis of the Barbora Route, the study presents statistical data on the municipalities along the route, including socio-economic and demographic profiles, as well as business statistics. This data provides a comprehensive assessment of the region’s overall profile, identifying both its strengths and its vulnerabilities. By offering a holistic overview of the Barbora Route, this chapter explores its potential to foster balanced regional development and proposes a sustainable tourism model that could be adapted for Central Slovakia and other regions facing similar socio-economic challenges.

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Barbora Route: Cultural Pilgrimage Tourism as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development in Central Slovakia

  • Darina Rojíková,
  • Kamila Borseková,
  • Alexandra Bitušíková

摘要

Central Slovakia was once among the wealthiest and most developed regions of the former Kingdom of Hungary and, more broadly, in Europe, primarily due to its extensive precious metal mining activities. Historically characterised by significant social, economic, and technological development, the region now faces two primary challenges: unbalanced spatial development, marked by the decline of smaller cities and rural areas, particularly in villages located farther from urban centres, and the underutilisation of sustainable tourism initiatives as a means to address this issue. Pilgrimage tourism presents a promising approach to mitigating these challenges, particularly given the existence of the Barbora Cultural Pilgrimage Route. This route connects historically significant mining sites and serves as a conduit for showcasing the region’s tangible, intangible, and industrial heritage. It highlights the natural beauty and historical significance of copper, gold, and silver mining in the mountains of Slovakia. This chapter examines the Barbora Cultural Pilgrimage Route as a potential catalyst for the sustainable development of Central Slovakia, offering insights that may serve as a model for other similar regions in Europe and beyond. In addition to a detailed analysis of the Barbora Route, the study presents statistical data on the municipalities along the route, including socio-economic and demographic profiles, as well as business statistics. This data provides a comprehensive assessment of the region’s overall profile, identifying both its strengths and its vulnerabilities. By offering a holistic overview of the Barbora Route, this chapter explores its potential to foster balanced regional development and proposes a sustainable tourism model that could be adapted for Central Slovakia and other regions facing similar socio-economic challenges.