The town´s development reached a peak in 1928 when a subsidiary of weapon´s factory in Brno was set up.





Industry and agriculture

Development of employment rate and structure of economy in the town and district was considerably influenced by liquidation of special production and agriculture cooperations in 1989. Suppress of production in Považské Engineering Works, which predominated in sphere of economic, social and cultural development of the town in 1989, subsequently effected system that was dependent on this factory. This stimulated rise of enterprising in various spheres. A few agriculture cooperations are situated in nearby villages.
Považská Bystrica is centre of many institutions of state administretion, social organizations and 7 banks. There are 10 basic schools, 2 vocational schools, one grammar school and 4 special schools.
There are about 60 retail shops, 6 supermarkets and 1 hypermarket, next one is being built.

Historical monuments

Architectonic curiosity is absence of historical centre of the town. This is the result of complete city betterment which started in 1966 and therefore the building of Považská library, built in 1900 remained the oldest worldly building in the town.

Bystrický castle
It was built in 13th century. Now we can see only ruins. The renowned owner were plundering knights – brothers Ján and Rafael Podmanickí. The castle is well accessable from nearby village. It offers us a beautiful view on surroundings.

Mansion House in Orlové
Rises of history of the manor house are linked with Bystrický castle. Son of Andrej Balaša, Žigmund had the building built in renaissance style in 1612. It burned down in 1616 and in 1733 rebuilt in baroque style. Arcade yard was supplemented with central fountain with baroque elements. One part of interior is the chapel of St. Ján Nepomucký and messes take place here till now. The mansion was opened for public on 1st May 1984. Downstairs the Ethnographic museum is situated, upstairs there are representative halls and rooms. The mansion house is surrounded by a nice park where a mini ZOO used to be.
The Ethnographic Museum – has botanical, zoological and ethnographical collections. That makes 20 000 objects. Archeological exposition documents development of inhabitation in the region. It documents history of Považské Engineering Works as well.

Roman Catholic church „Visitation of Virgin Mary“
The church was built in 14th century on order of Ján Podmanický – the master of Bystrický castle. Originally the curch of Gothic style was single-nave. In the 17th century it was reconstructed in Renaissance style. In 1940 another modern shaped belltower was erected together with another two naves.