Bratislava Jewish Community Museum

The Jewish Community Museum focuses on the history and culture of the Jewish community of Bratislava and its surrounding region. The museum’s permanent exhibition, The Jews of Bratislava and Their Heritage, is installed on the upper floor of the synagogue, which is still used as an active house of Jewish worship. A special exhibition, Architect Artur Szalatnai-Slatinský and His World, is an annual exhibition for 2025.

Bratislava is also home to a separate Museum of Jewish Culture, which is a branch of the state-run Slovak National Museum.

Bratislava Synagogue

The Heydukova Street Synagogue is the only remaining synagogue in Bratislava. Constructed in 1923-1924, it is a Cubist building designed by the Bratislava-based Jewish architect Artur Szalatnai-Slatinsky. The synagogue is owned and used by the Jewish community of Bratislava; it is a listed monument, and a valuable example of Slovak interwar architecture. Visitors may also view its restored interior while visiting the museum.

Architect Artur Szalatnai-Slatinský and His World

The special exhibition showcases the life and work of the prolific Bratislava-based architect Artur Szalatnai-Slatinský (1891–1961). A prominent member of our community, Szalatnai-Slatinský is best known for designing the synagogue in Bratislava—one of his most significant works. Built between 1923 and 1924, the synagogue is a unique blend of traditionalist architecture, Cubist elements, and modern construction techniques, all while honoring the requirements of Jewish religious practice. In many ways, the synagogue itself serves as the central exhibit of the show. Szalatnai-Slatinský’s architectural contributions spanned a wide range: he designed residential buildings, villas, commercial premises, and sanatoria. His creative interests also extended to garden design, interior architecture, the restoration of historical monuments, and the creation of memorials and sepulchral art. In addition, he was active as an urban planner and author of books and articles in architectural journals. The current exhibition offers a glimpse into his private life, featuring unique personal artifacts and, for the first time, a selection of his lesser-known paintings. This exhibition marks the culmination of a three-year curatorial project dedicated to exploring the breadth of the architect’s oeuvre.

The exhibition begins on June 1, 2025.

Architect Artur Szalatnai-Slatinský and Slovakia

Location

Heydukova 11-13, Bratislava
48°8'49.00"N, 17°6'43.50"E

Opening hours
Friday 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday 10:00 - 16:00

Exhibition season
May 30 - September 28, 2025