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Banská Bystrica is situated in the picturesque Hron river valley, surrounded by Nízke Tatry ( the Low Tatras ), Veľká Fatra ( the Big Fatra ) and Kremnické vrchy ( the Kremnica Moutains ). Banská Bystrica is an important tourist point offering many possibilities for summer and winter recreation.
The first report of the town dates from the 13th century. The Hungarian King Belo IV honored the settlement by turning it into a town in 1255 and granted extensive municipal privileges in order to attract German settlers. Outlanders, together with the original inhabitants Slavs developed the mining of precious metals, copper, silver and iron ores. The mining secured wealth of citizens in the 15th and the 16th century.
Since 1989 many positive changes have been carried out in the town. Many fine historic houses, representing various architectural styles, have been renovated and also the main square has regained its old-time charm.
Banská Bystrica with a population close to 100 000 residents, became the administrative, economic, cultural and educational center of the Central Slovakia. The city is a seat of Matej Bel University.