The Šariš Museum in Bardejov It is one of Slovakia’s leading museum institutions and also one of the country’s oldest museums. Its history dates back to 1903, when it opened on 21 December as the Museum of the Šariš County. Since its inception, it has gradually developed and today stands as a comprehensive regional museum documenting the historical, natural, social, artistic and ethnographic development of Upper Šariš.
A museum with extensive collections
The Šariš Museum manages more than 700,000 collection items, making its collection one of the most extensive in Slovakia. The collections document various aspects of life in the region – from history and fine art, through natural history and ethnography, to sacred art. The museum also plays a nationwide role in documenting iconography of the Eastern Rite.
The scope of the collections is also reflected in the museum’s organisation. Today, the Šariš Museum manages several historic buildings in Bardejov and Bardejovské Kúpele, as well as buildings associated with the open-air museum. As a result, a visit to the museum need not be confined to a single building, but can form part of a wider exploration of the town and the region.
History Bardejova in the historic town hall
One of the most significant parts of the Šariš Museum is the exhibition Free Royal Town of Bardejov, which is situated right inside the historic Gothic-Renaissance town hall on Town Hall Square. The town hall building was constructed between 1505 and 1511, and the exhibition itself traces the history of Bardejov from its first written mention in 1241 to the end of the 18th century.
Visitors can learn about the period when Bardejov achieved a significant economic and social status. The exhibition explores crafts, guild life, trade, textile production, local government, municipal law, defence, education, book culture and the visual arts. Among the valuable exhibits are, for example, the ‘Little Calvary’ sculpture by Master Pavol of Levoča from 1520, the altar of St Nicholas from 1524, and Renaissance burgher epitaphs.
An exceptional collection of icons
This deserves special attention Exposure Icons, which, according to the museum, is the only independent, specialised exhibition of Eastern Orthodox iconographic artefacts in Slovakia. The collection illustrates the development of Carpathian icon painting through wooden icons dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The exhibition also includes icons on canvas, liturgical vestments and sacred furnishings.
The collection is also of international significance. Icons from the Šariš Museum have been displayed at exhibitions abroad, including the 1970 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. On this occasion, postage stamps featuring motifs from the museum’s icon collections were even issued.
The natural environment of north-eastern Slovakia
The Šariš Museum focuses not only on history and art, but also on the region’s natural heritage. The natural history exhibition Nature of north-eastern Slovakia and its protection It showcases the characteristic fauna and flora of north-eastern Slovakia. The exhibition is organised around thematic habitats and presents animals and plants in an environment reminiscent of their natural conditions.
An interesting addition is the collection of exotic fauna. Notable exhibits include, for example, a South American condor, a reticulated python, a juvenile shark from the Caribbean Sea and taxidermied specimens of American hummingbirds.
The museum as part of exploring Bardejov
The Šariš Museum brings together the town’s history, regional culture, nature and folk traditions into a single comprehensive museum complex. Its exhibitions are located in the historic centre of Bardejov itself, as well as in Bardejovské Kúpele, where the museum runs ethnographic exhibitions and an open-air museum of folk architecture.
A visit to the Šariš Museum is therefore ideal for lovers of history, architecture, art and nature, as well as for families, school groups and visitors who wish to gain a better understanding of the cultural character of Šariš. Thanks to the breadth of its collections and the diversity of its exhibitions, the museum is one of the key stops on a journey of discovery Bardejov and the Upper Šariš region.
It is advisable to check the latest information on individual exhibitions, admission fees and visitor regulations before your visit, as opening hours vary depending on the specific exhibition and the season.
Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ
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The Šariš Museum is also notable for the scope of its activities – in addition to its exhibition work, it is dedicated to scientific research, documentation, conservation and restoration of collections. The History Department organises themed exhibitions, produces specialist publications and develops teaching resources, ensuring that the museum is not merely a venue for displaying exhibits, but also an active centre of expertise.
It is interesting to note that the museum also manages several historic buildings outside its main premises. When visiting Bardejov, you can therefore combine a visit to the museum with a tour of the historic centre, a visit to the Bardejov Spa or a stroll through the open-air museum. This provides a more comprehensive insight into the cultural and historical heritage of north-eastern Slovakia.
The Šariš Museum also regularly organises thematic exhibitions, cultural events, specialist presentations and educational programmes. The programme of events changes throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the museum’s events calendar before planning your visit.
A practical advantage is the location of several exhibitions right in the centre of Bardejov. The historical exhibition, the icon exhibition and the natural history exhibition can be included in an itinerary whilst exploring the town’s monuments. However, as each venue has its own separate entrances and opening hours, it is advisable to plan your visit according to the current arrangements.
