Banská Bystrica

The name Banská Bystrica comes from the Slovak word for 'mine' and the local river name meaning 'swift stream'.

Banská Bystrica became the center of anti-Nazi opposition during World War II with the Slovak National Uprising launched from the city.

Banská Bystrica is situated in the Hron River valley and is surrounded by three mountain chains, all of which are protected areas.

Before World War II, many residents of Banská Bystrica were trilingual, speaking Slovak, German, and Hungarian.

The State Opera in Banská Bystrica was founded in 1959 and has produced several famous opera singers, including Edita Gruberová.