Museum founder Peter Lisy and co-founder Vito. (source: Oscar Brophy)
A new museum in the heart of Slovakia’s capital is embracing with open arms, rather than shying away from, the dark side of Slovak history. The Slovak Crime Museum is located at Michalská 10 in a centuries-old cellar. What better environment to strike terror into tourists?
The cellar, which is usually home to the dance club Teleport (currently on summer hiatus), sits in the basement of a listed building that dates back at least to the 16th century. Just going into the building brings on a sense of disquiet, followed by a growing fear. The deep stairs you walk down, the cramped walls and ceilings create a feeling of claustrophobia. The walls behind the reception desk are littered with WANTED and MISSING posters, that begs the guests to question, "could you be next?"
Visitors to the museum can experience it in two different ways: The first is when it operates as primarily a normal, albeit spooky, museum. In this mode, you are given an electric candle and invited to explore the 15 or so exhibits dedicated to various crimes from Slovakia’s past. The candle is essential, as the lights are dimmed to increase the menace factor and you have to use its light to read the information placards at each exhibit.
