Urpín

Urpín is a mountain in Banská Bystrica rising 510 meters above sea level on the left bank of the Hron River. It features a church at its summit with several chapels, and views from the top extend toward the Low Tatras and across the surrounding valley.

The mountain was originally defended by a watchtower built in 1587 as an early warning system against threats from the east. In the 18th century, Jesuits replaced this fortification with a religious center, adding the church and surrounding chapels.

The church on the summit was built as part of a pilgrimage route that Jesuits established in the 18th century to draw devotees. Today, visitors can explore the chapels along the ascent and see how this location served as a spiritual destination for the region.

The mountain is accessible from the city center via several marked hiking trails, with longer routes covering about 6 to 7 kilometers through forested terrain. Bring a jacket since weather conditions at the summit can differ from the base, and sturdy footwear helps on the natural paths.

The summit is a protected nature area housing more than 30 threatened animal species and an unusually high concentration of spiders that keen observers may spot. This biological variety makes the location an important refuge for rare creatures despite its proximity to the city.