48 Makovicky's house

Makovicky's house. The eclectic townhouse was built in 1897 by the Babušek family. The building is also known as Babušek House. Between 1894 and 1904, it was the home of the physician and nationalist Dr. Dusan Makovicky, who was also the personal physician of the Russian classicist Leo Tolstoy. Between 1905 and 1919, another prominent doctor from Žilina, Dr Ivan Hálek, who was personally acquainted with Makovický, also lived here. Dr. Hálek was also a member of the Ministry with full powers for the administration of Slovakia headed by Vavro Šrobár, who stayed in Makovický's house at the turn of 1918 to 1919. At present, it is the seat of the Regional Cultural Centre in Žilina and the Regional Observatory in Žilina.