Banska Bystrica

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History

The history of Banska Bystrica began with the begin of mining for gold and copper.

First written reference to the town is in the appointing decree from the hungarian king Bela IV from the year 1255, which made of Banska Bystrica a town with royal privileges. The life in the town increased together with increasing mining activities. Royal privileges invited new german immigrants, who were miners.

An eloquent witness of prosperity and forwardness of material and spiritual culture of Banska Bystrica in 15th and 16th century are proved by many important buildings. The nicest from these are in the historical heart of the city, which consist of a square and adjacent main streets.

Ancient moneyed-burgess-houses build on gothic foundations are one of most valuable renaissance buildings in Slovakia. The heart of Banska Bystrica is a heritage of the past and the casttle area was declared to national cultural monument.

In the year 1589 was the city fully fortified by stone walls in order to defend from the Turks incrusion (about the year 1526). Relics of the town walls remain till now.

Thanks to its location, rich history and many medieval relics became Banska Bystrica to one of most important and nicest miner-cities in Slovakia.

Another meaningful page in the town´s history was written during the 2. Worldwar. Banska Bystrica was the center of antifascist resistance, the political and military center of the Slovak National Rising. One symbol to this page of history is a Slovak National Rising Monument with a very unusual architectonic view.

Thanks to its favourable location and a big spectrum of posibilities of tourism and winter sports offered by the city is Banska Bystrica an important tourist center of Slovakia.

Use many recreational, sporting and tourist posibilities brought to you by Banska Bystrica!

Nearest attractions from our offer:

Town-castle in Banska Bystrica bee-line 150 m	Tihanyi mansion bee-line 2 km	Hron - Tri duby Golf&country club bee-line 8 km
Turecka - Krizna - Liska bee-line 10 km	Turecka - Krizna - Lucky bee-line 10 km	Harmanecka cave bee-line 11 km
Lupciansky castle bee-line 11 km	Park Snow - Donovaly bee-line 13 km	Zvolen manor-house bee-line 13 km
Velka Fatra bee-line 17 km	Jasenska valley bee-line 22 km	Turčianske Teplice Spa & Aquapark bee-line 24 km