The Benedictine abbey in Hronský Beňadik is a complex of fortified sacred buildings founded in 1075 by King Géza I of Hungary, who aimed to establish an influential religious institution renowned throughout Hungary. During the period of high feudalism, St Benedict’s Abbey served as a model for teaching tillage and the cultivation of agricultural crops. The Benedictines were also experts in metallurgy and construction. The abbey’s importance and indispensable role in feudal society stemmed from its function as a locus credibilis—a place where legal documents could be authenticated. The abbey is considered a possible origin of the ‘Nitra Gospel Book’ (Nitriansky evanjeliár), the oldest book from the territory of Slovakia. The abbey complex represents a symbiosis of various architectural styles—from Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque—and still stands prominently over what was once an important trading crossroads. It was included in the list of national cultural heritage sites on 24 April 1970.
Obverse:
The obverse depicts the interior of the Benedictine abbey church in Hronský Beňadik, featuring the nave’s Gothic columns on either side and, in the upper centre, a monumental crucifix. The reliquary containing a relic of Christ’s Blood is incorporated into the right side of the design, while the Slovak coat of arms overlies part of the left side. Inscribed along the bottom edge are the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’ and the year of issuance ‘2025’. Just above them are the coin’s denomination ‘10’ and currency ‘EURO’, one above the other.
Reverse:
The reverse shows a bird’s-eye view of the fortified abbey complex, with the figure of St Benedict to the right. The inscription ‘OPÁTSTVO SV. BENEDIKTA’ (‘St Benedict’s Abbey’ in Slovak) runs along the upper and right edge of the design. The year of the abbey’s establishment, ‘1075’, appears in the upper left. At the bottom is the name ‘HRONSKÝ BEŇADIK’, with the first word above the second, flanked by bunches of grapes. In the lower right of the design is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies. Directly below it are the stylised initials ‘TL’ of the designer, Tomáš Lamač.
| Designer: | Tomáš Lamač |
| Composition: | .900 silver, .100 copper |
| Weight: | 18 g |
| Diameter: | 34 mm |
| Edge: | • ORA ET LABORA – CRUX SACRA SIT MIHI LUX |
| Producer: | Kremnica Mint |
| Engraver: | Dalibor Schmidt |
| Issuing volume: | 4,900 coins in brilliant uncirculated quality 10,700 coins in proof quality |
| Issuing date: | 17 March 2025 |
