Non-traditional Museums on the Edge of the World Part 3 : In the Footsteps of Jakubisko, Cell Phones, Aviation, and Communism.
Get ready for an adventure that will take you to places where history comes alive in brand new ways! In the Košice Region, unusual museums await you, which are windows to the past – and each of them offers a unique insight into our culture and technology. Visit the Cell Phones Museum in Dobšiná, where you will see how old key-operated phones became the mobile marvels of today. Fly through the Museum of Aviation in Košice, where you’ll touch the clouds, and discover the stories behind the Museum of Victims of Communism. Finally, let the picturesque village of Kojšov on the edge of the world take you to the unique Juraj Jakubisko Gallery, where the world of film meets the magic of art.
Museum of Cell Phones in Dobšiná
If you are interested in how communication was developing, the Museum of Cell Phones in Dobšiná will immerse you in the fascinating past of telecommunications. From the first simple telephones to modern cell devices, the exhibition offers a unique insight into the development of a technology that has changed the way people connect.
This collection features telephones from different eras and countries, with each exhibit telling a story about the development and social impact of the invention.
Museum of Aviation in Košice.
You can find a gem of aviation in Košice – the Museum of Aviation, which focuses on the history of flying and aviation technology. The exhibition features rare aviation machines used during the World War I and World War II, as well as during the Cold War.
The collection includes, for example, the Mirage III RS, the French Mirage IIIE fighter, the Lockheed F-104S Starfighter from Italy, and the Bell UH-1 Iroquois from the USA.
Visitors will not only be able to admire historic aircraft, but also models and accessories that are linked to significant moments in aviation history. It is an ideal place for all those interested in technology and aviation.
There are over 30 historic machines and instruments on display, including aircraft engines and navigational instruments. The original aircraft, such as MIG-15, MIG-21, SU-22, SU-15 TM (donated by the Ukrainian President), and the agricultural Z-37 A ‘Bumblebee’ are an interesting part of the exhibit.
The collection also includes 24 historic aircraft engines and about 50 models and mock-ups of aircraft. The exhibition offers a unique view of the development of aviation from 1915 to the present day.
Museum of the Victims of Communism in Košice
The Museum of the Victims of Communism in Košice presents a powerful and emotive insight into the lives of people who survived persecution and suffering under the communist regime. The exhibition depicts the stories of imprisoned and tortured individuals who were persecuted for their political beliefs.
Visitors can delve into a history that has been taboo for many years through personal stories and interactive exhibitions. The Museum seeks to preserve these stories for future generations and to remind them how important it is to defend freedom and justice.
The Museum offers guided tours that focus on the stories of people who experienced persecution during that period. Visitors can view the Victims of Communism Map and the Samizdat Library, which shows the ways in which information was disseminated during the censorship.
In Košice, in the building of the former regional ŠtB (State Security Service) prison, there is an exhibition devoted to the illegal practices carried out against political prisoners. It also presents a 3D model of the prison and a preserved solitary confinement cell.
The travelling exhibition ‘Samizdat in the Fight for Freedom’ deals with samizdat literature, which was a key instrument of resistance against the regime. The exhibition on the work of Ján Chryzostom Korec, in turn, presents his most extensive samizdat work, which became a symbol of resistance.
Juraj Jakubisko Gallery in Kojšov
The Juraj Jakubisko Gallery, which is dedicated to the famous Slovak film director, is located in Kojšov. It is a place where art and film meet in a single exhibition. Jakubisko’s films, which are often considered iconic works of Slovak cinematography, come to life here through paintings, film props, and artifacts.
The Gallery is not just a place where you may get familiar with the work of this great artist, but also an inspiring experience for anyone interested in film and visual art.
The Košice Region is thus home to places where history, technology and culture come alive in unconventional museums that offer unique perspectives on different aspects of our past. If you’re keen to explore unconventional places and learn something new, these museums are perfect places for your next visit.
