Museums and galleries Brusno

In the town of Banská Bystrica, you will find the unique Stredoslovenskú galériu, which focuses on the presentation, collection, and research of modern and contemporary art. Its exhibitions are housed in as many as three historical buildings in the center of Banskej Bystrice. Do not miss the opportunity to take a peek into artistic circles and thus broaden your horizons when visiting this beautiful town in central Slovakia.

In addition to collecting activities, the regional gallery also focuses on educational and curatorial projects intended for the general public. It enriches its projects and exhibitions with a accompanying program of various artistic directions such as dance, music, film, or contemporary literature. Therefore, almost all your senses will be engaged when visiting the gallery.

You can view short-term exhibitions in the building of the former town hall, also known as Pretórium or in the Bethlenovom dome. One permanent exhibition is located in the family villa of the artist and painter Dominika Skuteckého. Along with his painterly work, you can also view the garden of the family residence. The work of this regional artist excels in mastery of techniques and qualities characteristic of traditional Italian painting. He acquired these skills during his long-term work in Viedni and Benátkach.

Pretórium was once part of the municipal castle area, which was built at the beginning of the 16th century. Today, it represents an experimental space for the presentation of domestic and foreign visual art. In 5 modern exhibition halls spread across 3 floors, you will view various forms of exhibitions, vernissages, and curatorial tours.

Bethlenov dom, which is a typical burgher building from the end of the 14th century, is a venue for exhibitions of works originating not only from the gallery's collections but also borrowed works from renowned collection funds and studios. Special exhibitions are held mainly in the autumn period.

All three places, Pretórium, Bethelnov dom, and Vila Dominka Skuteckého, are open to the public every day except Monday. In addition to exhibitions and collections, the gallery also engages in pedagogical activities in the form of lectures for schools or the public, animation programs, creative workshops, or specially focused long-term educational projects. In the collections of the Stredoslovenskej galérie, you will find more than 13,000 items in the fields of graphics, drawing, painting, and sculpture.

Stredoslovenská galéria boasts a history of more than 60 years and after its founding in 1956, it bore several names such as Krajská or Štátna galéria v Banskej Bystrici. Do not hesitate and visit this unique art center, through which thousands of the most interesting works have passed. In addition, Banská Bystrica is also rich in other experiences. Are you enchanted by art? Visit the Národný dom v Banskej Bystrici and one of the most significant artistic ensembles, Štátnu operu. The most famous works of Slovak and foreign authors will be performed by soloists, the choir, the orchestra, or the ballet company. Do you desire to experience something new? Let yourself be lured into observing the starry sky at the Hvezdárni v Banskej Bystrici and gain new knowledge from related sciences.

If you have decided that Banská Bystrica must not be missing from your holiday or travel list, we have a few accommodation tips for you in the vicinity of the Stredoslovenskej galérie. Choose from our offer of apartments, cottages, or log cabins in the surroundings and book a place for your relaxation. Whether you decide to explore Banská Bystrica with family or friends, we believe you will fully enjoy your time together.

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.

Named directly after the Transylvanian prince, Gabriel Bethlen, is a house in Banská Bystrica. This building houses an administrative headquarters, exhibition spaces, and a depository from the collection of the Stredoslovenská galéria. Come to the center of the city of Banská Bystrica, to the burgher house on Dolná ulica, and enjoy the atmosphere it offers as a contemporary part of the Stredoslovenská galéria.

Bethlenov dom is a place where all residents of Banská Bystrica contemplate. This is because exhibitions from their local collection as well as borrowed works from other galleries take place here. The spaces are thus regularly filled and enrich the souls of all visitors. A unique feature of the gallery is artistic printmaking, the art of graphics from the second half of the 20th century. This collection is complete. The Stredoslovenská galéria, of which Bethlenov dom is also a part, focuses mainly on the presentation, research, and creation of a collection of modern and contemporary art.

Bethlenov dom consists of an entrance room and an exhibition space on the ground floor. On the upper floor, the exhibition spaces are vaulted with historical arches. A specific genius loci can thus be felt here. In the basement, groups dedicated to fine art will find something for themselves, where they can create art themselves and express themselves creatively. In the rear part of the gallery, in the library, you will find knowledge hidden in books that have been gathered here over decades.

The history of the gallery dates back to the 14th century, when a multi-story house was added to the originally tower-like burgher structure. At the entrance, a Latin inscription Benedicto domini divites facit 1610 is preserved, which in free translation means: The blessing of the Lord makes you rich. A tradition is linked to the house that Gabriel Bethlen had himself crowned as the King of Hungary here. Unfortunately, due to the unsuccessful anti-Habsburg uprising, he had to give up the crown.

On the last Sunday of the month, admission to the gallery is free. Therefore, if you plan your trip as early as Friday and book accommodation near Bethlenov dom for at least two nights, you will experience all the works of art firsthand. However, if you would also like to explore other buildings of the Stredoslovenská galéria with multiple exhibitions, feel free to head to Pretórium or Vila Dominika Skuteckého.

Banská Bystrica as such offers all its residents and visitors various options for spending time. You just need to choose the right apartment in Banská Bystrica or a room in a Banská Bystrica hotel. You will have everything close at hand and will also enjoy other interesting places and monuments of the city. Popular choices for families include the banskobystrická hvezdáreň, and during the summer, Aqualand – plážové kúpalisko. Choose the attractions in Banská Bystrica yourself; we will gladly help you with the choice of accommodation. You can find the best accommodation on our portal.