On May 18, the world celebrates International Museum Day. While major museums prepare special programs, Prozahid takes you off the beaten path to explore Uzhhorod’s hidden gems—small, unique museums many locals aren’t even aware of.
1. Pavlo Bedzir’s Room-Museum
This isn’t a museum with tickets or casual visitors—it’s a living space preserving the spirit of Pavlo Bedzir, a renowned Zakarpattia artist. Located in the former Artists’ Fund building (once his studio and home with his wife, artist Yelyzaveta Kremnytska), the space now serves as the workshop of contemporary artist Pavlo Kovach, who inherited Bedzir’s personal belongings—books, letters, and artworks.
To visit, you must be a guest of Kovach himself. The room is filled with fascinating details, carefully arranged to evoke Bedzir’s presence. A must-see for modern art lovers.
2. Sándor Petőfi’s Room-Museum
Uzhhorod’s Petőfi Square honors the famous Hungarian poet, who once stayed overnight in 1847 at the Black Eagle inn (now long gone). A 1911 memorial plaque on the Uzhhorod Art School marks the spot.
Inside the school, a small museum (opened in 1990) showcases Petőfi’s life, his travels through Zakarpattia, and the 1848–49 Hungarian Revolution. Exhibits include multilingual poetry collections, illustrated verses, and historical notes. Visits by appointment only (phone: 61-25-62).
3. The Police Museum
Operating since 1986, this museum at the Zakarpattia National Police Headquarters displays artifacts from 1945 onward: documents, uniforms, confiscated weapons (including homemade guns and counterfeit money), and a global police cap collection.
Highlights include a firefighter’s heat-resistant suit (withstands +800°C) and the bullet-riddled shirt of Major Vasyl Medentsia, killed in 1982. Since 2014, the museum has added exhibits from the war zone. Access by prior arrangement.
4. UzhNU History Museum
Housed in the rectorate building (Narodna Sq., 3), this museum traces Uzhhorod National University’s history since the 1970s. Exhibits feature early student records, construction photos of campus buildings, and personal items of notable professors—like Dr. Dmytro Snihursky’s medical hammer or archaeologist Vyacheslav Kotyhoroshko’s cork hat.
A nostalgic album from the 1970s captures student life: oath ceremonies, legendary Skalka gatherings, and sports events. A treat for alumni and history buffs.
5. School Ethnographic Museum “Svitlytsia”
At the “Leader” Lyceum (I. Silvaya St.), this charming museum recreates a traditional Carpathian home. Artifacts—donated by parents and teachers—include antique clothing, wooden tools, a coal-heated iron, and a working stove.
Student guides explain how ancestors lived centuries ago. Open weekdays (8:30 AM–3:30 PM); visits require advance booking.
Author: Tetiana LITERATI, Pro Zakhid