The SNP Memorial in Banská Bystrica is one of the most important memorials in Slovakia, whose task is to commemorate the period of World War II and the Slovak National Uprising, the center of which was Banská Bystrica. It is the work of architect Dušan Kuzma. The memorial was completed in 1969.
The Museum of the Slovak National Uprising was founded on 8 May 1955. This added to the activities of the Institute of the Slovak National Uprising, which was established here in December 1947. At present, the building houses a museum and archive of the development of Slovak society in the period 1918 – 1948 with a focus on the anti-fascist resistance and the Slovak National Uprising.
The institution has a nationwide and international scope and carries out professional, methodological, advisory and coordination activities. The museum has 66,956 pieces of museum collections and 136,157 pieces of archival collections. It includes an archive focusing on museum activities and the period 1938 – 1945. There is also a library with 20,000 book units.
In 2004, on 27 August, a permanent exhibition was created with a focus on the presentation of decisive political, military and social events in Slovakia in the years 1918 – 1948. This collection is the most extensive collection in terms of themes, content and material of all previous exhibitions. During the year, the museum also presents short-term thematic exhibitions of various nature (art, documentary).
