Banská Bystrica The city of Banska Bystrica lies by the Hron river in Zvolenske udoli (valley) not far away from the Kremnicke vrchy mountains. Banska bystrica is a cultural town with a long past. Nowadays it´s ranked among the most important economic places in middle Slovakia. The very first reference is from 1255 when today´s Banska Bystrica was a settlement of german colonists. In the beginning of Bystrica´s history gold and silver had been mined there. Since 14th century cooper and lead had been added. First manufactured arised in town after 1850 which later on have grown into industrial factories. In the old part of the city you can find a Roman Catolaic church from 13rd century a lot of old Renaissance buildings and don´t miss place like „Matejuv dum or „Farska Basta.