History of Bytča
The first written mention of Bytča comes from the beginning of the 13th century. In the year 1378 Bytča got privileges of a bigger city. The end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century Bytča belonged to family Thurzos and this meant the main growth. Thurzos were one of the most powerful feudal clans in Hungary. George Thurzo, the Hungarian palatine had his own residence in Bytča. In the age of Thurzos was built a castle, which belongs to jewels of renaissance architecture in Slovakia. The castle is made of four buildings: renaissance manor - house with a square ground and arcade court, wedding palace which was built by George Thurzo for wedding parties of his seven daughters, in origin old building rebuilt into a classical style and an entrance building from the end of the 19th century. In this castle were held not only gracious weddings but also there were judged assistants Elizabeth Bátory from Čachtice.
In the 17th century belonged whole Bytča to family Esterházy. In the age of Mikuláš Esterházy was realised rebuilding of in origin gothic church into baroque style. For finishing of reconstruction of the church consecrated to all saints deserved well Ondrej Matúšek, who was born in Bytča. He provided the church by the main altar with picture of all saints on the bottom and saint Ondrej on the top. In historical and art way woody pulpit from the year 1690 is very precious. The last reconstruction was realised by architect M. Harminc in the thirties of this century. It was an installation of crucified Christ mosaic on outside wall from sculptor S. Bíroš. The church is situated on a square. Through this square flows the river Petrovička. The square with adjacent streets creates historic - monumental City zone.
Surroundings of Bytča look like they were made for touristics trips. The most beautiful and the most visited of public nature reservation Súľov rocks. Calcium rocky formations, ruins of Súľov castle, rare animals and vegetation are attractive for many visitors. For tourists are very attractive also surroundings of Hričov castle and Hlboké waterfall. All natural areas in Strážov hills are connected with marked touristics paths.
Industry does not devastate natural environment in Bytča. Here is traditional wood industry, especially ski, toboggans, sticks trade mark SULOV, engineering trade mark KINEX and clothes industry trade mark MAKYTA. Here in Bytča is one of oldest brewery in Slovakia, which produce the beer trade mark POPPER.