Marie Antoinette
from 30. 4. 2025 to 28. 2. 2026
MARIE ANTOINETTE
From Vienna to Versailles – and the Guillotine
A Unique Exhibition of the Queen’s Gowns at Bratislava Castle
What connects the world-famous Château de Versailles and Bratislava Castle?
The story of a young Austrian archduchess who became an ill-fated French queen, ultimately executed by guillotine.
Marie Antoinette was born in Vienna as the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa—Queen of Hungary and Bohemia—whose official seat in the Kingdom of Hungary was Bratislava Castle.
This new exhibition presents one of the most fascinating personal stories in European history—the dramatic life of Marie Antoinette, who became the most iconic French queen through the dynastic marriage arranged by her mother, Maria Theresa.
Now, the splendour and luxury of Versailles arrive in the grand Knight’s Hall of Bratislava Castle. Visitors will see exquisite costumes, wigs, paintings, furniture, and other artistic objects on loan from the Palace of Versailles. The exhibition is further enriched by items from Slovak museum collections and scenes from films that portray the queen’s life—from her childhood at Schönbrunn Palace, through her extravagant reign at Versailles, to her tragic end at the scaffold.
Marie Antoinette was the ultimate fashion icon of her era and continues to inspire designers today. Her life story has been captured in countless books, films, series, and stage productions.
We warmly invite you to experience a taste of Versailles’ luxury and magnificence at Bratislava Castle.
The exhibition opens on 30 April 2025 in the Knight’s Hall of Bratislava Castle – entry from the courtyard.
Organised in cooperation with:
Château de Versailles Spectacles, Slovak National Museum – Museum of History, and Beart production s.r.o.
Exhibition curators:
Mgr. Peter Barta, Director of the SNM – Museum of History, and historian and diplomat Dr. Alexandre Pajon
Under the patronage of:
Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Richard Raši and the French Ambassador to Slovakia H.E. Nicolas Suran
Exhibition partners:
French Institute in Slovakia, Austrian Cultural Forum, KFA Norbert Šmondrk
