Museums and galleries Stredné Slovensko

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.

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.

He was profoundly convinced that everything he created belonged to Slovakia, and through his work, he tirelessly proved how beautiful and rich it is. Ján Kulich is one of the most prominent representatives of 20th-century Slovak art. It is precisely to his life's work that Galéria Jána Kulicha, situated in the heart of the village of Zvolenská Slatina in the Zvolen district, is dedicated. The gallery building with a large adjacent garden is located between the school and the Evangelical church. Here, you can admire the artist's work in all its diversity. Wooden statuettes from his childhood, drawings, and sketches, as well as monumental sculptures, have been preserved. You will not easily forget this artistic experience.

The modern gallery has its home in a simple linear building. The structure is oriented toward the north, where an old vicarage stood in the past. It was right here that historical figures once gathered, and it was also the birthplace of Terézia Vansová. Part of the gallery grounds is a restored fragment of one wall of the original vicarage with artistic embellishment. Before entering the gallery building, an engaging frontal sculpture will welcome you. It will look familiar if you have ever visited the village of Terchová in the past. It is a scaled-down version of the monumental statue of Juraj Jánošík that guards the entrance to Vrátna dolina. Its author is none other than the artist Ján Kulich.

The main mission of the gallery is to preserve and present the work of Ján Kulich to the public. Right here, you have the opportunity to get acquainted with the broad range and content scope of the great national artist's creation. The gallery's collection consists of almost 3,700 original works. You can admire wooden statuettes from the author's childhood creation, drawings, sketches, and paintings, as well as medals, reliefs, sculptures, and portraits. All presented works are assembled into several thematic circles of the artist's lifelong key themes. The exhibition is updated annually.

An interesting part of the gallery's activity is the implementation of educational programs targeted not only at children and youth. Cultural projects, creative workshops, and cultural-social events in the garden are organized here. Children love participating in fun trivia competitions and activities, playing detectives, searching for treasure, or taking part in drawing mini-workshops. The gallery also offers its unique premises for rent. If its grounds charm you, you can organize, for example, a family celebration, wedding, or wedding photoshoot here.

After a beautiful artistic experience in Zvolenská Slatina, we also recommend a trip to the nearby Vígľašský zámok castle, recreation in Športový areál Orlík in Zvolen, and a tour of the majestic Zvolenský hrad. A trip to Pustý hrad and a tour of the picturesque wooden articular church in Hronsek are also unique experiences. There are many more tourist attractions and sights in this region. Come and see for yourself. Book accommodation near Galéria Jána Kulicha and combine relaxation with discovering cultural and historical wealth. You can choose from the accommodation offer in Zvolenská Slatina and adjacent areas, or you can opt for accommodation in Zvolen. On our portal, you will certainly find facilities that meet your requirements.

Among the significant mining towns in our territory is Kremnica, which is located in the beautiful Kremnické vrchy mountains. It was precisely here that gold and silver were mined in the past, later making their way to the mint. However, to see how this mineral wealth is extracted from the earth, visit the Banské múzeum Štôlňa Andrej.

This atypical museum, located just a few minutes from the town centre, will take you into the secrets of the Kremnica underground. Long ago, mineral resources were mined here. Local enthusiasts and lovers of mining history breathed life back into it and transformed the adit into a museum designed to introduce mining to its visitors. Along the 660 m long route, you will learn many interesting facts about the hard work of miners in this authentic underground environment throughout the year. Information panels present the miners' activities, the various machines they used in their work, as well as the equipment required to perform the job.

With helmets equipped with lights on your heads and lanterns in your hands, you will set off towards a small adventure. It is located 60 m underground and offers not only information on how the workplaces were equipped, but also attractive exhibits. A walk through the original mine adit, accompanied by an explanation of interesting facts, legends, and life stories, will take you roughly 60 minutes. The age of museum visitors is not limited in any way. Near the museum area, there is the route of the Po stopách banskej činnosti educational trail, as well as a cycle route leading to the picturesque mining village of Kremnické Bane.

You do not have to end your journey at this museum alone. You can gain information about coins and their production by visiting the specialized Múzeum mincí a medailí. A captivating explanation of its work is also offered by the Mincovňa mint. The museums are located on the square, and from here, only a few steps separate you from visiting the premises of the Mestský hrad castle. Adrenaline in the blood rises on the Via ferrata na Skalke, which is among the most interesting tourist attractions in Slovakia. A wide spectrum of active relaxation in the water is also offered by the Relax centrum Skalka.

We know that this town has its charm, and you can enjoy its atmosphere if you book accommodation near the Banské múzeum Štôlňa Andrej. You have the option to choose exactly the kind of accommodation where you will feel at home. This will be provided, for example, by cottages and chalets in Kremnica. If you want to be in the center of the action, order private accommodation in Kremnica through our portal. Don't know what to do? Contact us and we will be happy to help you.

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.

If you like art and find yourself in Banská Štiavnica, we invite you to Galéria Jozefa Kollára, which bears the name of an important native of Banská Štiavnica and representative of Slovak fine art modernism. The gallery is housed in three townhouses in the city center, on Námestie Svätej Trojice. The most valuable exhibits you can see here are two Late Gothic wooden sculptures of St. Barbara and St. Catherine. Their author is the mysterious master "M. S.".

Galéria Jozefa Kollára is a collection-building gallery, meaning it collects, processes, and makes works accessible to the general public. In its collections, you will find artwork from the 13th century to the present day. The permanent exhibition offers a tour of rare works with a mining theme, testifying to the historical and socio-economic importance of this region. The art-historical collection of the gallery features as many as 4,600 exhibits. The gallery is among the "green" institutions and also presents works of art that deal with global warming, nature conservation, or the ecological and sustainable human footprint in the landscape.

Be sure to also view the works of Edmund Gwerk, who captures the landscape from its harsher side in his paintings. In his work, he uses impressive figural compositions that record not only the dramatic atmosphere of the era, but also the specificity of the mining region. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the gallery also collaborates with young artists and presents their work through solo and group exhibitions. During your visit to the gallery, you can also admire the tasteful architecture of the building, courtyards, and unusual corners. The gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 09:00 and 17:00.

After a great cultural experience, set off for another in the form of a proper adventure and jump into searching for treasure! It was hidden in the depths of the city by the famous polymath and cartographer Samuel Mikovíni. While completing original tasks in the City Game, you will get to know many hidden nooks and interesting streets. Exploring Banská Štiavnica in one day is certainly impossible, so stay longer and discover other great attractions in the surroundings. A rich offer of accommodation near Galéria Jozefa Kollára can be found on our page accommodation Banská Štiavnica. We wish you a successful holiday full of exceptional experiences.

In the picturesque nature of Štiavnické vrchy, you can find a small treasure. It is hidden on the steep slope of the village of Štiavnické Bane, offering a stunning view of the surrounding area. Visit the circular Bašta Štiavnické Bane, which is one of the popular tourist attractions in this region.

Bašta v Štiavnických Baniach was once part of the defense system of the anti-Turkish fortifications. Today, it is one of the restored attractions of the village. This is mainly because the original bastion underwent reconstruction, and its founder built a museum inside dedicated to Maximilián Hell, a native of the village. During the tour, as part of one of the two exhibition sections, you can view information panels concerning, for example, the first observatory in Slovakia founded in 1878, the first mine surveying office, or the first school or hospital established in this mining region. On the next two floors, you will also take a look at significant milestones of the village. The second part of the exhibition is dedicated to the life and work of the aforementioned Catholic priest, Jesuit, astronomer, mathematician, and physicist Maximilián Hell.

The museum is open on weekdays (except Monday). A set of 175 wooden steps will lead you to it. In addition to regular tours, guided visits combined with sky observation are organized twice a year. This is possible thanks to a professional telescope that the village purchased for the exhibition. Naturally, an expert is also invited to these events.

If you would like to enrich your trip with other interesting places, we recommend visiting the beauty of Prírodný park AVES. If you visit this region in summer, there is an opportunity to swim in the surrounding tajchy artificial lakes. The closest to the bastion is Veľké Richnavské jazero. You can visit Škola v múzeu not only with children. With a headlamp on your head, you can explore Banské múzeum v prírode - Banská Štiavnica. After a continuous layer of snow falls, you can ski on the slopes of the popular Salamandra Ski Resort.

Don't feel like rushing back home? Stay longer and book accommodation near Bašta Štiavnické Bane. There is a choice of many apartments or smaller cottages in Štiavnické Bane. It only depends on your preferences which accommodation you choose. We will be happy to help you with your choice.

Baňa Starovšechsvätých v Hodruši-Hámroch represents one of the oldest and best-preserved mining monuments in the region of Central Slovak mining towns, revealing to visitors an authentic underground world unchanged for centuries.

The site is located in the village of Hodruša-Hámre, in the Žarnovica district, within the Banská Bystrica Region. Baňa Starovšechsvätých is exceptional because it has preserved its original medieval and early modern form without significant modern interventions, allowing visitors to admire the precise work of old master miners. During the tour, you pass through narrow and low corridors that were carved by hand using a chisel and hammer, while traces of this strenuous activity are still visible on the walls today. The exhibition includes not only the mining spaces themselves, but also unique underground chambers, technical monuments, and a mining museum housed in the historic building of the knocker (klopačka). Guides, who are often former miners, enrich the commentary with expert knowledge on geology, mineralogy, and the life of the mining community in Hodruša. The atmosphere underground is enhanced by silence and a constant temperature, with the light of miners' lamps highlighting shimmering minerals in precious metal veins. Due to its authenticity and historical value, the mine forms an important pillar of education about Slovakia's technical heritage and reminds us of the importance of the Hodruša mining district for the former European economy.

What can you find here?

In the area and underground of the mine, you will find accessible historic adits, mining exhibitions with tools, and a unique exhibition of minerals and precious metals. The historic knocker building is available, housing further museum exhibits and documents on the village's history. Before entering the underground, visitors are lent a protective coat, helmet, and miner's lantern for safe movement in the corridors.

Who is the place suitable for?

The place is ideal for lovers of history, geology, and technical monuments who are looking for an authentic experience without commercial additives. It is also sought after by school groups as part of educational excursions and tourists who want to discover the true face of medieval mining. Due to the character of the underground, where there are narrow spaces and low ceilings, the visit is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, and reasonable physical mobility and sturdy footwear are required.

What can you visit in the surroundings?

Just a few kilometers from the mine lies the historic Banská Štiavnica (UNESCO) with numerous monuments, such as the Old and New Castles (Starý and Nový zámok). You can also visit nearby artificial water reservoirs known as tajchy, such as Hodrušský tajch, which offers opportunities for swimming in nature, or the picturesque village of Štiavnické Bane. For view enthusiasts, there is a hike to Mount Sitno or a visit to the Calvary in Banská Štiavnica.

Among the biggest attractions for visitors to the charming town of Bojnice are undoubtedly Bojnický zámok and the Zoo. Did you know, however, that the Múzeum praveku is also located here? Archaeological research has shown that Bojnice is considered the most precious location of a Neanderthal prehistoric settlement in Slovakia. The museum will tell you more about this interesting topic. So open your eyes, prick up your ears, and enter Prepoštská jaskyňa beneath Bojnický zámok, where this unique museum is located.

The Múzeum praveku v Bojniciach is located just a few minutes from the town center. Perhaps the biggest attraction of this site is that scientists have uncovered as many as 11 layers of prehistoric settlement here. It is assumed that Neanderthal man lived in this area for several thousand years. The discoverer of this unique place is considered to be the Catholic priest and provost Karol Anton Medvecký, who in 1926, along with grammar school students, discovered the remains of a mammoth tooth. In today's museum, visitors can discover various stone tools used by prehistoric man as well as skeletal remains of mammoths, prehistoric horses, deer, prehistoric rhinoceroses, and aurochs. The cave itself is declared a national natural monument.

The museum is suitable for all age groups. Younger visitors will certainly be attracted by the engaging diorama in front of the cave entrance, which captures the life and hunting method of prehistoric man. If you are lucky, you might arrive at a time when the museum is organizing creative workshops or a night tour by the light of burning torches. An original souvenir shop is also located on the premises. Their creators were inspired by the Stone Age and the life of Neanderthal man.

After visiting the cave, you might find it nice to refresh yourself at Termálne kúpalisko Čajka or the Plážové kúpalisko v Bojniciach swimming pool in Bojnice. Your little ones will certainly appreciate a visit to one of the most beautiful zoos in Slovakia, namely ZOO Bojnice. Your stay will also be made more pleasant by the engaging performances of Sokoliari Aquila. Do not miss the unique, already mentioned Bojnický zámok in Bojnice.

Book accommodation near the Múzeum praveku and set off to explore the attractions of Bojnice. After all, such a multitude of attractions that you can visit in this spa town and its immediate surroundings can be found in very few places in Slovakia. It is worth staying longer and accommodating yourself in one of the popular accommodations in Bojnice. Whether you are appealed by apartments Bojnice or rather a cozy room in guests house Bojnice, we will gladly introduce you to our rich offer of accommodation facilities.