Address: Museum in Kežmarok – CASTLE, Exposition of historic vehicles, Hradné námestie 42, 060 01 Kežmarok
E-Mail: lektori@kezmarok.com
Phone: +421524522619
GPS: 49.139354, 20.433594 (car park in front of the castle)

HORSE ERA

The first fortress in Kežmarok was built in 1463 on the site of the Monastery of St. Elizabeth. The appearance of the fortification changed with each owner of the castle. Reconstructions also took place due to numerous fires. The last great fire broke out in 1901. During this period, there was another fundamental change. Horses, as a common means of transport, began to be replaced bycars.

The establishment of the Municipal Museum dates back to 1931.

AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED?

The castle underwent several partial reconstructions. A major renovation began in 1960 and, with some breaks, lasted almost 60 years. Today you would look in vain for horses at the castle because the former stables are now used for administrative purposes.  On the other hand, cars have found a new home behind the castle walls.

EXPOSITION OF HISTORIC VEHICLES

The exhibition of antique automobiles and motorcycles is located in the courtyard of the Castle in Kežmarok. It was opened in 2008. The exhibits on display come from the museum’s collections and from members of the Poprad Veteran Car Club.

These gems are guarded in four rooms with beautiful arched ceilings. Who wouldn’t admire the legendary Ford Model T? Its assembly line serial production created a car for everyone. The beautiful, red Škoda 154 from 1929 is unique. It is a fire truck, the only one of its kind in Europe, with manual hand pumps.

A mannequin, in a period French uniform, guards a police car Renault 8. An Indian Chief motorcycle made in the USA is especially valuable. Yes, you will also see motorcycles, tricycles and even historic bicycles dating from the last century.

We don’t want to reveal everything. You should definitely visit this breathtaking exhibition, which is complemented by enlargements of period photographs with motoring themes, mostly from the streets of Kežmarok, as well as original enamel plates.

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

You will definitely not be bored in the spacious premises of the castle. Untraditional expositions and well-founded commentaries by the lecturers will make a visit of the castle an experience. About a three-minute walk towards the centre is the renovated exposition of the Museum of Housing Culture (Main Square – Hlavné námestie Nr. 55). Also interesting is the Marian Church (Paulinus Church) for its position in a row of houses on Castle Square – Hradné námestie Nr. 53. The Wooden articular church (Hviezdoslav Street Nr. 18) is registered in the UNESCO World Heritage list of monuments and is rightly called a small Sistine chapel in the Spiš region.