Sightseeing in Banska Bystrica - what to see. Complete travel guide

Central Slovakia is home to an unforgettable tourist destination, the name of which can be translated as “Mining stream”. Nowadays, we know this gorgeous settlement under the name Banska Bystrica. The city is situated in a beautiful valley formed by two rivers – Hron and Nitra. Until our time, no anthropogenic activity could ruin the unique landscape created by nature. Nowadays, Banska Bystrica is an important cultural and historical center in Slovakia. Many landmarks of the past have survived until our days. Thanks to them, the city became internationally famous and is present in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The area, which is now the territory of Banska Bystrica, was a perfect place for a prosperous city. The valley was incredibly rich in copper and some other materials, so the first mining attempts here date back to 2000-1700 BC. Moreover, the area was situated at the crossing of two important trading routes. During the medieval period, mining became a dominant industry in the region, and it was the main source of income for the city. Thanks to this generous gift of nature, Banska Bystrica became an incredibly prosperous place and one of the three richest cities in Central Slovakia.

The 18th century changed the economic strategy of the region. Starting from this period, copper mining became less important, and iron ore mining replaced it. Because of this fact, the first part of the 20th century made Banska Bystrica an important city on the international level. In August 1944, the city was the cradle of the great Slovak rebellion movement that was targeted against the fascist regime. Despite numerous victims, the rebellion didn’t slow down the development of the settlement. Nowadays, Banska Bystrica is the 6th largest city in the country. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

What makes this city famous? Banska Bystrica has become internationally famous because of its traditions. For more than 350 years, Slovak craftsmen from different parts of the country have gathered in Banska Bystrica in the first autumn month in order to participate in Radvanský jarmok fair. Known as “the fair of all fairs”, this is a spectacular event with many authentic crafts and traditions. All beer fans enjoy visiting Pivinex – a large and popular beer festival. This event always has many guests. Pivinex is also a great place to try the traditional local beer, Urpin, that is made of finest malt and hops.

Banska Bystrica is famous for its rich cultural life and abundance of monuments and architectural landmarks. The main city square dedicated to members of the Slovak National Uprising is one of them. The Slovak National Uprising Square or simply SNP Square is a great place to relax, shop for souvenirs, and dine in charming cafes. This is the location of another interesting landmark – the leaning clock tower that dates back to the 16th century. The City Castle is within walking distance. The monument dedicated to members of the Slovak National Uprising is another important attraction. The sculpture depicts a soldier with a woman and a small child hiding behind his back. A worried woman has only one hope – the soldier who is holding a rifle in his hands. This sculpture is a symbol of the fight against the fascist plague.

Kremnica Castle is a landmark that is incredibly popular with tourists. This castle is located in the nearby town of Kremnica. The Black Tower in the south-west of the castle complex is an interesting architectural landmark that is worth exploring. The tower was built in the 15th century, but it still has its original look and design. Tourists from all over the world come to Slovakia, to Kremnica to explore the gorgeous castle and see the striking views of the surroundings from tiny windows of the tower. The black roof and architectural details add a gloomy and mysterious feel to the castle complex.

When exploring inner passages of the castle, it is still possible to see scars left by ammo. These are proofs of the difficult times in the history of the town during the medieval period. During a two-hour-long excursion, tourists can learn more about the history of the region and visit the castle’s halls that still have religious artifacts and household items of monks who lived here in the past.

In the northern part of Banska Bystrica, opposite to the main square, tourists will find a beautiful church dedicated to St. Catherine. This is a prominent example of the Gothic style. Outside, the church has two chapels and a tall and wide tower. Inside, visitors will find five sacred altars made from linden tree wood and covered with gold. The main altar belongs to St. Catherine. Besides the beautiful inner décor, the church has one more attraction, namely, the biggest musical instrument – an organ with more than 3,500 pipes. If you happen to visit this church on Sunday, you can enjoy a fabulous music concert.

Banska Bystrica is situated in central Slovakia, between Bratislava and Kosice. It is easy to reach this city from the capital by a high-speed train. The ride will approximately last three hours and a half. In this case, you will not need to make any changes. If you choose to travel from Bratislava by car, take routes D1-R1, and you will reach Banska Bystrica within three hours. There are buses that connect these two cities. They depart roughly every 30 minutes. The time in transfer is more than three hours.