On March 21, Count Souches kindly sent German musketeers to escort us. Their duty was to protect us while we traveled through the contribution country, which was a dangerous border region often exposed to raids and conflict. With this military convoy, we felt safer as we continued our journey across the countryside.
We first passed through a place called Ripnich and then saw a castle at Decatz, which belonged to Baron Berrim. The landscape showed many signs of past wars, and the villages seemed quiet and partly deserted. By nightfall, we arrived at Topolchan, a town located on the River Nitra. Sadly, both the town and its church had been burned during the last war and had not yet fully recovered. Many buildings still stood in ruins, and the people were slowly trying to rebuild their lives The Lutheran School and Religious Life.
Hot Baths and War-Torn Villages
About a mile from Topolchan, at a place called Behitz, there were also hot baths, which were well known in the region. The next day we traveled through Gleish. The inhabitants of this place had all been taken captive during earlier wars, leaving the town nearly empty. This sight reminded us of the harsh consequences of constant conflict in these frontier lands.
Our route then led us through a large forest near Hochmise. In this area, most of the inhabitants were Germans, and the settlements appeared more stable than the ruined villages we had seen before. The forests were thick and quiet, and the roads were narrow, which made travel slow and cautious.
Arrival at Schemnitz and the Mining Region
Eventually, we reached Schemnitz, a town seated on the River Gran. A strong castle stood upon a rock above the town, offering both protection and a commanding view of the surrounding land. Although the town paid tribute to the Turks, it was still frequently visited by them, which kept the population in a state of constant alert Guided Turkey Tours .
On March 23, we crossed the River Gran early in the morning and entered a region of hills and mountains. We came to Hodrytz, where a swift stream ran through the town. This stream was very useful to the inhabitants because it powered the engines used for pounding, washing, and melting silver ore. The sound of machinery and flowing water filled the air, showing how important mining was to the local economy.
The Great Mine Town of Hungary
After traveling over a mountain called Hell, we finally arrived at Schemnitz, the largest of the mining towns in Hungary. Here, great quantities of silver ore were dug from the earth every day. The town was well built and had three large and beautiful churches. Most of the inhabitants were Lutherans, and religious life played an important role in their community.
There were also three castles in Schemnitz. The first was the old castle within the town, where wind music was played every day at six in the morning, at noon, and again at six in the evening. The second was the new castle, built by a noble lady who had removed the gallows from the hill and replaced it with a fine building. The third castle stood on a high peak, where guards kept constant watch for any sign of Turkish forces. If danger was seen, they would immediately fire a cannon to warn the town.
Mining Opportunities and Risk
The streets of the town ran up and down steep hills, as the entire region was uneven and mountainous. Many mines operated in and around the area, attracting adventurers who hoped to gain wealth. If a miner discovered a rich vein of ore before spending all his money on digging, he could expect great profit. However, success was never guaranteed, and mining remained a risky but hopeful enterprise for those willing to try their fortune.
