The exhibition is not just a stroll through history, but rather an intimate glimpse into the lives of families such as the Scherz, Albrecht, Hubert, and Palugyay families.

These families and their members—who significantly contributed to the development of Bratislava in the fields of art, culture, economics, and public life—are presented through authentic objects, photographs, and personal documents, primarily from the collections of the Bratislava City Museum.

Through powerful human stories, the exhibition helps visitors better understand the historical events of the 19th and 20th centuries that intertwined with the lives of these families. One of its key aims is to uncover hidden stories and taboo topics—without nostalgic distortion.

The exhibition critically reflects on Bratislava’s historical identity, focusing not only on successes but also on obstacles such as Aryanization, post-war expropriation, and the expulsion of its own inhabitants. It also highlights that Bratislava has always been a city of changing identities.

It presents the hybrid identities of Pressburg—its multilingualism, name changes, and “transitional identities” between the German, Hungarian, and (Czecho-)Slovak communities. Visitors are thus invited to understand that the homogeneity of identity is a myth and that globalization has always been a natural part of the city’s history.

The exhibition not only draws us into history but also shows that the challenges and situations our ancestors faced are not so different from those we encounter today. It is an opportunity to discover the city’s history from a new, more personal perspective.

Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed on Mondays)

Curated by: Elena Kurincová, Štefan Hrivňák
Exhibition partners: Bratislava City Gallery and Bratislava City Archives
Media partners: Rádio Devín, Rádio FM, Citylife.sk, IN.BA, Historická Revue, Bratislavské noviny