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Museums in Bratislava

I am planning a trip to Slovakia for 2022 (hopefully). Our first stop, after a few days in Vienna, will be Bratislava. In addition to the major sights, we want to visit a couple of museums and galleries while we are there (3 nights/2-and-a-half days), and I’m having a hard time deciding which ones to pick. I would think the Slovak National Gallery is a must (whatever portions of it are open—it looks like there is a renovation going on), and I thought Nedbalka Gallery for more contemporary art. There are then several museums and exhibits which delve into Slovak and Bratislava history (Slovak National Museum, Museum of City History in the Old Town Hall, Primate’s Palace, exhibits in Bratislava Castle, and several small ones)—any input as to which might be the most worthwhile?

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I haven't been to Bratislava yet, but I've prepared notes for a future trip; they're based on information I uncovered back in 2018-2019, so things may have changed. In addition to art I have a special interest in 20th-century history, so that may have affected the places I identified to visit.

The Museum of City History in the old town hall sounds interesting to me. I was lukewarm about the castle until I encountered a reference to a craft display (another interest of mine), but that may have been a temporary exhibition.

According to my notes, the National Gallery collection is heavy on Dutch art, not something I would have expected.

A art-related few places you didn't mention that appear in my notes--included just in case the information is helpful:

Inconveniently located well outside of town is the relatively new Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, at Vodne Dielo, Čunovo, 20 km south of Bratislava. It has mostly Eastern European contemporary art and sculpture. Good views from roof and cafe (esp. sunset); cafe currently closed because of the virus. Bus 90 hourly (45 min.) from Panorama City (probably also other stops) to final stop “Danubiana”, 3-min. walk to museum. Buy two bus tickets in town (N/A at museum). Or boat from from city center in summer. Or Uber in direction of museum. Very good reviews on TA. Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00. 10€/5€. https://www.danubiana.sk/danubiana/o-nas . This place will be a must for me, but it would chew up a lot of your time.

The City Art Gallery (GMB) has two locations. The Mirbach Palace location (Frantiskanske Nam. 11) sounds like the best one to me. The other is at the Palffy Palace, Panska 19; I've designated it "skippable".

Galeria Umelka, Dostojevskeho rad 2, is the gallery of the Slovak Union of Visual Arts. It shows paintings and other media. Usually free.

The Muzeum Milana Dobesa, Zamochnicka 13, has international contemporary art, mostly (neo-)constructivist.

Slovenska Muzeum Dizajnu (Slovak Museum of Design) has two addresses listed online, possibly only one has exhibitions? www.scd.sk. This is sometimes called the Slovak Design Center.

Posted by
195 posts

Thanks acraven. You've given me some more options. Of course, the good/bad news is that there are SO many options!