Horehronské múzeum Brezno
In the Heart of Slovakia, in the Horehronské podolie basin lined by the wall of the Nízke Tatry mountains in the north and the ridges of the Slovenské Rudohorie in the south, lies the Brezno district. One of the most interesting places in this region from a cultural and historical perspective is undoubtedly the rectangular Námestie generála M. R. Štefánika square in the center of the district town. It is precisely here that the historical buildings of the Horehronské múzeum v Brezne museum are located. One of the oldest museums in Slovakia boasts an impressive collection of over 30,000 objects. Through its interesting exhibitions, it introduces visitors to the history and culture of the population of upper Pohronie.
The museum has three facilities. It has its headquarters in the beautiful historic town hall on the Brezno square. The building itself, with its lunette and sail vaults, exudes times past. It was built in 1770 through the reconstruction of an older Renaissance building. The museum's second facility is the town house No. 13, standing on two separate plots of ground-floor 16th-century houses. The third and final building of the museum is a peasant-craftsman homestead on Rázusova street. In its premises, the unique blueprinting technique of master Ján Roštár and a horse-driven wooden mangle from the early 19th century have been preserved. In simple terms, it can be called the largest iron in Slovakia. It consists of a wooden tub filled with stones, under which cylinders with linen were placed. It will surely convince visitors that ironing today is a walk in the park.
The exhibition section of the museum consists of three separate collections. The first of them, titled Život a kultúra ľudu na Horehroní (Life and Culture of the People in Horehronie), is situated in the town hall. It introduces visitors to traditional culture, which has almost disappeared from the real life of the Horehronie people. It includes period objects representing folk clothing, sheep farming, agriculture, forestry, woodworking, textile production, leather processing, and folk architecture. The gem of this exhibition is undoubtedly a representative display of the ironworks in Hronec titled Krása liatiny a smaltu (The Beauty of Cast Iron and Enamel).
The second exhibition part of the museum, Brezno in the Changes of Time, is prepared for visitors in a renovated town house. Through the historical collection, it presents the history of the town of Brezno from its origin to the end of the First World War. Here you will learn about important personalities of Brezno whose work contributed to the progress and development of social, political, and cultural life in the town.
The last exhibition of the Horehronské múzeum is Literary Brezno, located in the renovated premises of the old granary at the Evangelical rectory. Here you can get acquainted with the history of literary life in the town, the life and work of Martin Rázus, and with important literary figures from the mid-17th century.
If, during your travels around Slovakia, you also visit the heart of our beautiful country, make sure not to miss the opportunity to get to know its cultural and historical heritage. And when you visit Brezno, go for a walk underground in the nearby village of Bystrá. Located here is the Bystrianska jaskyňa, typical for its narrow and high corridors and the huge, 56-meter-deep abyss Peklo. Another major attraction of Horehronie is the Čiernohronská železnica railway, which in the past served to haul timber. Visitors enjoy combining a trip in open carriages with a tour of the Lesnícky skanzen Vydrovo open-air forestry museum. If you have been thinking about a holiday in Horehronie for a long time, it is time to turn your ideas into reality. Book your accommodation near the Horehronské múzeum v Brezne and set off across the region for new experiences. Accommodation in Brezno boasts affordable guesthouses and picturesque cottages and chalets in the immediate surroundings.
