Liptovský Mikuláš

The town of Liptovský Mikuláš lies in the middle of the Liptovská valley. The huge wall of the Western Tatras mountain range and the Chočské vrchy (Choč mountain) surround the valley, with it being adorned by the Low Tatras mountains to the south. The surrounding mountain ridges are truly magnificent and untouched, which is proved by the fact that they were proclaimed as a national park in 1978, the Western Tatras are a part of the National Park High Tatras. Liptov is the favourite place of many visitors who are attracted to its unique natural formations. Most admired is the underground beauty of its caves in the Demänovská valley, the Vrbické Pleso mountain lake, natural rock formations and the Lúčanský and Šarafiový waterfalls. No one will be disappointed especially those who long for new places and the learning of new facts. Here you can visit an outdoor archaeological museum, architectural folk buildings, churches and the ruins to several castles. The town is proud of its rich history and although its history dates back to the Bronze Age. The first written document referring to the town, dates from the year 1286. It is from this year that the history of Liptovský Mikuláš was documented in written form and it can be found in the Museum of Janko Kráľ. Visitors in the town can visit the Slovak Museum of Nature Protection and Speleology with a large collection, or admire the works of Slovak artists and sculptors in the Gallery of Peter Michal Bohúň, as well as in the Koloman Sokol Centre.

Church of St. Nicolaus

The oldest built up sight in the town is named after its patron saint Nicolaus. The church is an original early gothic building. It was probably finished in around the year 1300. In its interior are three gothic altars.

Museum Janka Kráľa

The museum was established in 1955. It carries the name of the outstanding Slovak poet of revolutionary romantism Janko Kraľ who was born in Liptovský Mikuláš. In the permanent exhibition named Chapters from the history of Liptovský Mikuláš, the museum documents and reveals the rich history of the town starting from the year 1286 up to the present. In this building the Slovak national hero from 18th century Juraj Jánošík was judged.

Synagogue

The first Jewish families settled in Liptovský Mikuláš in 1720. Jews played an important role in the daily life of the town. Liptovský Mikuláš became thanks to their influence not only the center of Jewish culture in the Liptov region, but also improved economically. Jews played an active part in public life as mayors, physicians and lawyers. In 1730 the Jewish community owned its first wooden synagogue. A second was built from brick and stone in 1846 and still stands, although its exterior is now changed. It has been damaged twice by fire, firstly in 1878 and later in 1904. Its present shape came into being after being refurbished in 1906 to the designs of Baumhorn.

Slovak Museum of Nature Protection and Cave Exploring

This specialized museum is concerned with the protection of nature and caving in Slovakia. It documents a diversity of natural riches, with exhibitions devoted to both nature protection and caving with exhibits of minerals found in Slovakia's caves. In the exhibit devoted to the protection of nature, can be seen showcases with specimens of protected fauna, flora and sinter caving formations. 400 minerals from both Slovak and foreign localities can be seen as part of the static exhibition. This exhibition devoted to minerals and caves in Slovakia depicts the country and points out the connection between man's history and caves.

Koloman Sokol Galery

Koloman Sokol ,an outstanding illustrator and painter was born in 1902 in Liptovský Mikuláš, and has his works shown in the gallery. He lived and worked in Prague, Mexico and the United States. At the end of the second world war he briefly returned back to Czechoslovakia, before returning once again in 1948 to the United States, where he spent the remainder of his life. His work was built around social issues. The Koloman Sokol center can be found in the Pongrác manor house, which is the earliest building in the town dating from the first half of the 18th century.