The composer Ján Levoslav Bella (1843–1936) was born in Liptovský Mikuláš and received his musical education in Levoča, Banská Bystrica, and Vienna, where he also studied theology. In Vienna, he engaged with both sacred and secular music and conducted a choir. For some time, he worked in the Romanian city of Sibiu. In 1923, he visited Bratislava, later settling permanently and becoming acquainted with important figures in musical life, such as Miloš Ruppeldt, Oskar Nedbal, and Alois Kolísek. Among J. L. Bella's most significant works is the opera Blacksmith Wieland, based on a German libretto by Richard Wagner, which premiered in 1926 at the Slovak National Theatre under the baton of O. Nedbal. 

The monument to J. L. Bella is located on a sloping grass island at the intersection of three streets in the district of Palisády. It comprises a tall rectangular pedestal with a distinctive stepped platform. Atop the pedestal is a bust of the composer by the sculptor V. Baďura. The bust is a larger-than-life representation, and an inscription in cast metal letters on the front of the pedestal reads: J.L. BELLA, the initials disproportionately compressed together. A stepped stone platform forms the base of the monument and provides direct access to it. However, as the monument is located on a grass island between three streets, there is no pavement safely leading to it. 

It should be noted that J. L. Bella’s tombstone is located almost within sight of this monument, in the historic Evangelical Cemetery near Kozia Brána. It was created by the sculptor Ladislav Majerský and architect Dušan Kuzma, but the composer's bronze bust disappeared from it long ago, leaving only a stone console. Some sources have confused these works and mistakenly list the architect D. Kuzma as a collaborator on the monument. 

ZD

Research status as of 31. 08. 2023.