Summer-house Dardanely in Markušovce. (source: TASR)
The opening ceremony of the premises, which ancestors of the Mariássys built in the 18th century and which has been closed for the last two years, brought a concert of well-known Slovak opera singer Jaroslav Dvorský and Japanese soprano Shoko Fukada.
“It is not only a unique architectural monument of the Spiš region, but also a dignified cultural venue,” Eva Čarnogurská, culture officer of the Spiš Museum said, as cited by TASR newswire. “Visitors can enjoy modern spaces, interesting expositions and events.”
In the past, the building served for hosting balls, fun events and concerts, according to Zuzana Krempaská, director of the Spiš Museum.
“It has fulfilled its genius loci throughout the century, and still does today,” Krempaská told Radio Regina.
Currently, people can visit the mansion and see expositions of historical furniture and keyboard musical instruments - which was the only one in Slovakia when it opened in 1983. “This year, the museum will introduce new exhibitions: the Summer-house Dardanely in the Course of Time, and Štefan Máriássy and His Era,” Čarnogurská said.
Reconstruction of the summer-house cost around €1.4 million, covered mainly by EU funds, but also by resources of the Spiš Museum and the Košice Self-Governing Region.
“We built a parking lot and replaced the old sewer system and installed electricity in the rear, part of mansion which is not yet accessible to the public,” Krempaská told the radio. The summer-house also allows access for disabled visitors via a platform for wheelchairs.
The anniversary of the museum brought a boom in reconstructing historical objects. In August, the Spiš Museum will open also its reconstructed residency Provincial House in Spišská Nová Ves.
“The museum has organised many events during the year, which helps improve the museum with new infrastructure and better quality of cultural services,” Čarnogurská told TASR.
