Museum of Victims of Communism

In Košice, the first multimedia Museum of the Victims of Communism has been established – a space that restores the voices of people who were deprived of them under totalitarian rule.

This museum is more than just an exhibition of facts. It is a living story of individuals who became enemies of their own state simply because they held different beliefs, faiths, or the courage to speak the truth. Visitors move through a series of stations that reveal various forms of persecution and personal testimonies. Within a short time, they find themselves immersed in an atmosphere where every room, every image, and every voice reminds them that freedom can never be taken for granted.

A particularly powerful part of the experience are the video testimonies of those who survived oppression — their authentic stories draw visitors into the past more deeply than any textbook ever could.

The museum’s mission is to help us understand our recent history, to reflect on it, and to name the causes that led to injustice and suffering.

A unique element of the exhibition is the Map of the Victims of Communism in Slovakia – a visual memorial showing that every town and village bore its own share of hardship. The symbols on the map reveal the kinds of sacrifices made by local people, while the names of individuals remind us that behind every number lies a real human life.

The main exhibition is located in the basement of the building, divided into thematic sections where visitors can watch eight categories of stories on four screens. The central feature is a projection displaying the names of those convicted for political reasons, organized by regions, districts, and municipalities. The twelve-hour sequence of these names forms a silent yet profoundly powerful memorial to the victims.