Bethlen’s House

The Bethlen House accommodates the administrative headquarters, exhibition spaces, and a depository of artworks from the Central Slovak Gallery collection. It hosts short term exhibitions featuring not only the gallery own collection but also borrowed works from other renowned art collections and studios. The autumn educational exhibitions designed for the general public are a special highlight. Between 2006 and 2008, a permanent exhibition titled Slovak Graphic Art of the 20th Century from the SSG collection was open here. Currently, the entrance foyer and the ground floor exhibition space are also used for various cultural events, presentations, or drawing courses. The upper floor exhibition spaces, vaulted with historical ceilings, have retained their specific historical genius loci. The basement has been converted into art workshops for visitor groups.

The Bethlen House was originally a burgher tower house from the late 14th century, which was later
extended with another multi story building. Following a devastating fire in 1554 that destroyed most buildings
on Dolná Street, a hall with a cross ridge vault, a stone Renaissance portal, a fireplace, and a staircase leading to the upper floor has been preserved on the ground floor from this period.
Significant reconstructions took place in 1610 when the house was owned by Ján Frisovič. Italian
builder Tomáš Koradin was involved. During this period, the layout of the house was altered, the entrance hall (mázhaus) space was vaulted, and a high attic was added to the first floor. The entrance stone portal
dating back to AnnoD 1610 with the Latin inscription BENEDICTIO DOMINI DIVITES FACIT
(The blessing of the Lord brings wealth) remains preserved to this day.

The building is named after the Prince of Transylvania, Gabriel Bethlen, who led an anti Habsburg
uprising between 1619 and 1626. During the session of the Hungarian Diet from June 25 to August 25,
1620, he was elected King of Hungary. Although he renounced the royal title just a year later, he remained well remembered by the city.

The famous families who resided in the Bethlen House included the Szumrák, Turčáni, and
Winkler families. Over the centuries, the house was inhabited by prominent personalities, including Leonard Kessler,
Ján Roth, and Ján Radvanský.