|
In the heart of Slovakia, on the banks of the River Hron
in the Zvolen basin, lies the metropolis of central Slovakia
- Banska Bystrica. Settlements in this area can be traced
back to the Early Stone Age. On the site of the present
town there is a Slav village named Bystricia, whose inhabitants
earned their living by panning for gold in the streams,
but mainly, however, by extracting silver and copper from
surface pits. That is why Bystrica came to be known to history
as a mining town.
The region of Banska Bystrica possesses all of the attractions
that one expects from a tourist region; preserved nature,
rare historical and cultural monuments and remarkable architecture.
In the areas around Banska Bystrica are numerous protected
natural sites, including the Low Tatras National Park, which
is the largest National Park in Slovakia. This mountainous
and tree-covered area spreads out to more than 92 kms. The
highest mountain in the Lower Tatras is Mount Chopok at
2,024 meters. Off of its northern slope is the Demanovska
Dolina valley through which two small rivers flow. Its principal
attraction, in addition to its pine forests, is the largest
group of caves in Slovakia.
|
