Museum of Literature and Music, Banská Bystrica

The Museum of Literature and Music in Banská Bystrica is situated near the city's historical centre and is one of the newest museums in Slovakia. It was established in 1969 to document the library and musical culture of the central Slovakian regions of Banská Bystrica and Brezno. Many outstanding personalities of Slovak national culture and art such as Matej Bel, Ján Francisci, Michal Búľovský, Ján Chalupka, Andrej Sládkovič, Ján Botto, Ján Levoslav Bella, Terézia Vansová, Jozef Gregor Tajovský, Alexander Matuška, Ľudo Mistrík-Ondrejov, František Švantner, Viliam Figuš-Bystrý, Ján Cikker and others, came from these regions.

The museum preserves collections which document the lives of personalities, regional theatres, musical ensembles, local cultural associations, printers and important events. On display are old prints, archives, writings, photographs and works of art, in addition to folk and classical instruments and other related exhibits.

Collections are also presented at a number of branch exhibitions (see below) and the Museum is also active in the presentation of lectures, concerts and publications.