Nature and countryside conservation - Muránska planina (Muránska plateau) National Park

500 Sk Commemorative Silver Coin

Muranska Planina National Park is located on the dividing line between Central and Eastern Slovakia, in the west part of Slovenske Rudohorie Mountain Chain. It was declared in 1997 on an area of 20,318 hectares. The Park is an extraordinary valuable natural landscape, relatively little affected by civilisation.

On its territory, four geomorphologic units meet together: Veporske Vrchy Mountain, Spis-Gemer Carst, Stolicke Vrchy Mountain, and Horehronske Podolie Valley. As a result, both carst and non-carst formations are very diverse. Under the influence of water, deep valleys developed in limestone and dolomites, such as impressive Javornikova Dolina Valley with several waterfalls. Many caves, sinking and reemerging streams, and external carst formations are to be found in the Park. The local flora is rich, with abundant alpine and sub-alpine species. The most characteristic plant is Lykovec muransky (Daphne arbuscula), an endemit of the Muranska Planina Plateau that does not grow in any other place in the world. Also fauna is represented in abundance. The half-wild breeding of Muran Norik horses at Velka Luka is typical.

Description of the coin

Obverse:
The flowers of Lykovec muransky (Daphne arbuscula) are depicted on the obverse of the coin with a section of the Muran Castle above them, and the state coat of arms in the bottom left part. The name of the state SLOVENSKA REPUBLIKA is inscribed above it in vertical and horizontal lines. The year of mintage 2006 is near the bottom edge of the coin. The stylized initials of Karol Licko, the designer and the trademark of the Kremnica Mint are on the right under the castle ruins.

Reverse:
A pair of Muran type Norik horses are depicted on the reverse of the coin; a part of the panorama of the plateau of Muranska planina and the inscription NARODNY PARK MURANSKA PLANINA (Muranska Planina National Park), the name of the national park, are above them. The denomination of the coin 500 Sk is near the right edge.

Prospectus (PDF file; 846 KB)