Zvolen

Zvolen has been inhabited since the Paleolithic. In the 9th century, a Slavic settlement (today the Môťová neighborhood) became a regional center of what is now central Slovakia. Zvolen remained the capital of Zólyom county until the 1760s. In the 11th and 12th centuries, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, Pustý hrad, was constructed. The town, which was built under the castle, lay on an important trade route (Via Magna) from Buda to Kraków. Zvolen was granted town privileges by King Béla IV in the 1230s - as one of the first towns in the Kingdom of Hungary. The privileges were confirmed on December 28, 1243, after the original document was destroyed in war. Later, King Louis I the Great built a new castle, which became a popular hunting resort of the Hungarian kings. The future queen regnant Mary of Hungary and emperor Sigismund celebrated their wedding there in 1385.

In 1848-49, Ľudovít Štúr was a member of the Diet, with Zvolen as his constituency. In 1871-1872, two new railways were built and Zvolen became an important railway hub and important industrial center. Zvolen played an important role during the Slovak National Uprising. Two of its armored trains, which were made in the local railway manufactory, Hurban and Štefánik can be seen near the Zvolen castle.

Zvolen is an important railway, an important road hub and has a large timber factory Bučina, Continental, and a technical university. The town square was modernized in 2002 and local businesses are popular with tourists. In wintertime an ice rink is constructed in the center and festive celebrations run throughout December.

Bus is the only option in public transport in Zvolen and it is operated by SAD Zvolen a.s..

• Standard fare for an adult is about €0.60 (sold in bus by driver - one ride).
• Have coins prepared — paying with banknotes in nominal value of more than 4 times the ticket price, driver is not required to give change (no coins, no ride).

To get from railway station/central bus station to the city center, also train from station Zvolen osobná stanica to Zvolen mesto can be used (in direction to Banská Bystrica, Žilina (via Banská Bystrica) or Vrútky). Walking to city center from station Zvolen osobná stanica takes only about 8 minutes (train takes about 2-3 minutes).

Taxi standpoints can be found at railway or main bus station, also at the airport, main square (Námestie SNP) next to Hotel Poľana (in front of Zvolen Castle) and on parking lot next to the shopping centers.

Rates for 1 km are about €1.5.

• 1 The Zvolen Castle (Zvolenský zámok). National cultural monument. Standing on a low hill, the castle has a rectangular shape with four wings surrounding the central courtyard. Constructed in 1370-1382 as a Gothic hunting chateau of the Italian type of a municipal palace, the castle was built for the Hungarian King Louis I (the Great) from the Anjou family. To prevent Turkish attacks, fortifications were built later. These were inspired by quattrocento architecture. The castle was rebuilt many times, but the ground floor has preserved its original character up to now. In the 1960s, the castle was renovated after the project of the architect K. Chudomelka. Preserved fragments of medieval panels and parts of fine architecture create an impressive environment for the Slovak National Gallery collections displayed at the castle.  (updated Nov 2016)
• 2 Pustý hrad (Old Zvolen Castle / Old Zvolen)). A castle whose ruins are located on a forested hill in the southern part of Zvolen in central Slovakia. With an area of 76,000 m² it is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. The original name was Zvolen Castle or Old Zvolen; Pustý hrad (meaning "deserted castle") is a much later name used to distinguish the ruin from the present-day Zvolen Castle. Pustý hrad consists of two parts, the Upper Castle and the Lower Castle. (updated Nov 2016)

• Asian Fast Food
• Ryba (Fish)
• McDonald's Zvolen (Retail Park)

• Europa Shopping Center Zvolen, Namestie SNP. Here you can find Tesco Supermarket, Gate, Cropp Town, Exisport, John Garfield. 
• Retail Park Zvolen (next to city part Zvolen Západ West). Here you can find Tesco Extra, Euronics, Mercury Market, Metro Cash & Carry, Forstinger. 

• 1 Hotel Poľana, Námestie SNP 64/2. single room from €55. 
• 2 Penzion Franko, Ľudovíta Štúra 520/11. single room from €39.