The Square of the Slovak National Uprising is the main square of the city of Banska Bystrica, its historical and cultural center. Over more than 600 years of history, the square has changed its name several times. In the XIII century it was called the Main Square and the Square of King Bel IV - in honor of the Hungarian king, who granted the city rights to the settlement of Banska Bystrica, in 1923 it was renamed Masaryk Square (in honor of the first President of the Czechoslovak Republic Tomas Masaryk), in 1938 the square became bear the name of Andrei Glinka - a fighter for the independence of Slovakia. The square got its current name in 1945, in memory of the events of August 1944, when the city became the center of the Slovak national uprising against the Nazi invaders. The architectural ensemble of the square was formed by the beginning of the 16th century, by this time stone houses and mansions were erected around it, including the house of the rich burgher and mayor of the city Mikhail Königsberger, Imperial, Pribitserov, Ebner, Krebs and Turzov houses (it now houses the Central Museum ), town hall and many others. The Clock Tower, erected in 1552, is located in the square; for a long time it housed a prison and a torture chamber. Now it is one of the main tourist attractions of the city, from its observation deck a beautiful panoramic view of Banska Bistrica opens. The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier was built in 1715, in 1719, in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for saving the city from the plague, the Mariana Column was erected on the square, and in 1787 the Bishop's Palace was built. The fountain, built here in the first half of the 16th century, and the Black Obelisk, a monument to the soldiers of the Red and Romanian armies who died on March 25, 1945 in the battles for the liberation of Banska Bystrica from the Nazi invaders, are located on the square. The main square of the city for its history "saw" magnificent celebrations and parades, uprisings and bloody battles. Now it is a pedestrian zone, there are many cozy cafes and restaurants, the square is always crowded, it is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and the main tourist attraction visited by guests of Banska Bystrica.
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