Slovak Technical Museum – Museum of Transport – documents the development of railway and road transport of Slovakia. Cars with or without engine produced before the World War II. Bicycles, personal vehicles and lorries from the interwar period. Vehicles from the 60s and 70s of the 20th century. All this plus some temporary exhibitions will bring you closer to understand how Slovak transportation has changed in time. The exposures are situated in former stores, built in the characteristic industrial style of the early 20th century. You will travel in time thanks to this visit!
LOCATION
You will find the Museum of Transport easily on Šancová Street, very close to the main train station. You can either walk from the Old Town or take a bus/trolleybus. A walk from the Hodžovo Square (Presidential Palace) along the Štefánikova Street will take you about 5 minutes. Get off at the “SAV” stop if you use public transport. Once there, walk over the bridge to the other side of the street. You will spot a sign of the museum soon. Keep on walking until you get to a small narrow yard, just to find another sign navigating you to the main entrance.
RAILWAY STATION LIKE FROM AN OLD MOVIE
The Museum of Transport is located in the premises of the first Bratislava steam-engine railway station from the 19th century. The first train arrived here in 1848! That being said, make sure you have warm clothes on when coming here because the premises are not heated. Just so that you have an authentic feeling walking around :) The very first hall you will find yourself in upon entering imitates the back-then railway station.
One of the exhibition halls is dedicated to exposure of railway signal, safety and communication equipment, devices for railway maintenance, uniforms and other items from the history of railways in Slovakia.
Outside of the building, at the platform, various steam, diesel and electric locomotives, wagons and special railway vehicles are presented. You can even sit on the old benches and pretend you are waiting for a train, to get yourself back in time :)
VEHICLES BEFORE WORLD WAR II
In the hall A, vehicles produced till World War II are displayed. Admire Czechoslovak motoring icons from the Veteran Club, motorcycles and cars of the early era of motoring and historical bicycles with large front wheels (so-called “boneshakers”).
WORLD WAR II AND AFTER
The more modern vehicles are parked in the hall B. You will get there when you walk along the outside railway platform. And you will be captivated by the prototypes designed by Slovak car factories after the World War II as well as military and government vehicles from the times of the Soviet Union.
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS
The temporary exhibitions change each several months. At the time of our visit there were two: historical development of Volkswagen Slovakia, and an exhibition of vintage cars and period accessories from 1930s.
To conclude, we must say there is a weak side of this museum,too. That lies in all the guides being written only in Slovak. That means that the visit will be more for your eyes than for your brain. Still, we believe it is a well invested time if you have a passion for cars or you have kids who like cars :)
Author: Maria Kecsoova
ADDRESS: Šancová 1/A
OPEN HOURS: Open daily except Monday, 10:00–17:00. Last entry at 16:30.
TICKETS: 3,30 € per person + 1 € for taking photos. Free admission every first Sunday of the month.
CONNECT: Website, Facebook
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