The first written mention of Rožňava dates from 1291. The first known building in Rožňava is the original parish church (currently the bishop's cathedral) dating from 1304. A settlement was established near the church, which in 1382, as the predecessor of today's town core, received town rights from king Louis I. The town was created from the original settlement of miners who came here to mine the mineral resources of the surrounding mountains. Its entire subsequent history is closely connected with the profitable mining of gold, silver, copper and later iron ore. In the Middle Ages, mainly gold and silver were mined here, later Rožňava became an important center of craft production and education. In the 16th century, mining declined, mainly due to Turkish raids. In the 17th century mining vanished. In the following centuries craft production and manufactories developed.
