Catalog number: FPL05BB

Philatelic Commemorative Sheet - Banská Bystrica

Philatelic commemorative sheet Slovakia 2005 issued on the occasion of the inauguration of the Banská Bystrica stamp for the 750th anniversary of the granting of city privileges.

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Philatelic commemorative sheet Slovakia 2005 issued on the occasion of the inauguration of the Banská Bystrica stamp for the 750th anniversary of the granting of city privileges.
Author: PaedDr. Jaroslav Uhel ArtD.
Issue number: 015 PaL 347/05
Date of issue: 14.02.2005

Specification
The history associated with Banská Bystrica is extraordinarily rich. Already in 1255, when after the Tatar invasion King Béla IV invited colonists to this area, Banská Bystrica became a free city with extensive privileges. The then inhabitants were granted valuable privileges – the right to mine precious metals throughout the Zvolen county and the right to elect their mayor and priest. In 1380, Banská Bystrica joined with other surrounding mining towns into an association, in which it held a leading position until the end of the 16th century. After the establishment of the Thurzó-Fugger company, the mining, processing, and export of copper brought further wealth to the city. In 1620, Banská Bystrica witnessed a significant event – at the meeting of the Hungarian Diet, Gabriel Bethlen was elected as the Hungarian king here. The city was also made famous by Matej Bel, a polymath and the most significant scientist of his time, and others such as Ján Francisci, Ján L. Bella, Ján Botto, Jozef Murgaš, or the first chairman of Matica slovenská, Štefan Moyzes. In 1944, the city became the center of the insurgent territory, and the Free Slovak Radio broadcasted from here. The main motif of the stamp, issued for the 750th anniversary of the granting of city privileges, is the tower of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (also called the German or Parish Church), in whose interior there is a precious late Gothic altar from the workshop of Master Paul of Levoča. On the first day cover is Matej's House, which was allegedly built in the 15th century by King Matthias Corvinus.

source: pofis.sk