Museum of Croatian Culture in Slovakia

The Museum of Old Devínska and its New Exhibition "History and Culture of the Croats in Devínska Nová Ves"

As part of the comprehensive revitalization of the historical area of the village on Istrijská Street, the local government of the Devínska Nová Ves district renovated the dilapidated building of the former bakery and inn "Furmanka" with the aim of creating a representative space for its own museum. The selected building is located in the center of the district on Istrijská Street, in close proximity to the Slovak National Museum - Museum of the Culture of Croats in Slovakia. Reconstruction began in the summer of 2014, and the renovated building was adapted to the needs of the museum.

Today, on the main street of the old part of Devínska Nová Ves, a white shield with a triangular window is visible from afar, in which the silhouette of the town's coat of arms stands out – a white dove with a cross. Beneath it, on the southern facade, is a graphic representation of a map of the village from 1880. The interior space is open, with massive ceiling beams, and the roof truss is exposed up to the gable. Some internal partitions were removed to create an exhibition hall and two separate spaces: one serves as a period room with original furnishings, and the other is a service area with technical and sanitary facilities. The renovated building has been open to the public since June 20, 2015, as the Museum of Old Devínska, operated by the SNM - Museum of the Culture of Croats in Slovakia.

The Museum of Old Devínska in Devínska Nová Ves won an award from the expert jury in a competition for the best restored traditional architecture in the Bratislava region for the "adaptation of traditional architecture to a new function aimed at presenting local cultural heritage to the public." The awards are given by Academia Istropolitana Nova in close cooperation with the First Building Savings Bank and the Bratislava Self-Governing Region. The aim of the competition is to contribute to the preservation of traditional architecture, which creates a unique image of our region. Through the renovation of the dilapidated building and its surroundings, the local government has helped enhance the busy main street of the old part of the village and created a dignified space to present the village's history to both local residents and visitors.

Devínska Nová Ves is now one of the suburban parts of Bratislava. It lost its rural character in the 1980s when housing estates began to be built, and the population tripled. Originally a distinctive village, it has been inhabited by Croats since the 16th century. Even today, the Croatian dialect can be heard, and the descendants of the Croats commemorate their heritage every year with folk festivals and various cultural and social events. In 2006, the SNM - Museum of the Culture of Croats in Slovakia was opened. The museum focuses on presenting the tangible and intangible heritage of the Croatian minority in Slovakia, which has been preserved in only four locations: Devínska Nová Ves, Jarovce, Čunovo, and Chorvátsky Grob.

The permanent exhibition of the Museum of Old Devínska, "History and Culture of the Croats in Devínska Nová Ves," was prepared by the SNM - Museum of the Culture of Croats in Slovakia. The exhibition reflects life in Devínska Nová Ves and maps the life in the village, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, and is divided into sections: history, clothing, spiritual life and the church, recruits, work, and crafts. A large portion of the exhibition consists of collection items from the SNM-MKCHS originating from Devínska Nová Ves. Other items are loaned by local residents, the district, and the parish in Devínska Nová Ves.

The grand opening of the Museum of Old Devínska and the exhibition "History and Culture of the Croats in Devínska Nová Ves" took place on June 19, 2015. The Museum of Old Devínska is open to the public during the opening hours of the SNM - Museum of the Culture of Croats in Slovakia.