Museum of special education in Levoča

Adresa: Múzeum špeciálneho školstva v Levoči (Museum of special education in Levoča), Námestie Majstra Pavla 28, 054 01 Levoča
E-mail: mss.levoca@gmail.com
Tel.: +42153 4512863
GPS: 49.025160, 20.588917 (Square of Master Paul)

MAXIMUMLY NON-TRADITIONAL

Have you ever heard of the Blind Museum? The unique exposition was established in 1974 and was housed in a former bastion, which is part of the city fortifications.

Students with visual impairments needed special teaching aids, which now constitute the museum’s collection. Among the exceptional exhibited objects, we can boldly include a copper globe from 1927, a relief map of the High Tatras or the relief of Marian Mountain. A special place is given to Klein’s typewriter from 1830. The premises in the bastion were not suitable for the exhibition site or accessible for handicapped visitors. Therefore, the museum disappeared for some time, but the collection fund was preserved.

RESURRECTION

At the beginning of the 1990s, reopening the exhibition space with a blind theme was considered. The burgher house at the Square of Master Paul 28 proved to be suitable for these purposes. On November 16, 1990, a new Museum of Special Education in Levoča was established. This unique exhibition maps the history of special education from its inception to the present. It focuses mainly on presentations in the field of visual, auditory, physical and mental disadvantages. Individual rooms draw visitors into the issues.

FROM GOOD TO GREAT

After extensive reconstruction, the re-installation of the exhibits was set up in 2017. Today, on four floors, it is possible to experience the exhibited items with multiple senses. The accompanying lecturer makes the tour through the museum more pleasant and enriching. Two relaxation zones with the possibility of watching a documentary film on the theme of the museum will be particularly suitable for visitors with disabilities.

The museum exposition, cleverly divided into four units, offers a glimpse of history. There is also a library with a study room, a space devoted to teaching aids and a dominant part dealing with the human senses.

Teachers will certainly appreciate the possibility to download methodological sheets compiled for kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, as well as supplementary teaching materials for high schools.

From the museum even further

The soul can be cheered by walk through the square to a historically rare cage of shame from 1600. Next to the architecturally interesting town hall stands the Basilica of St. James with the highest altar in the world. At the same time, the surroundings of Levoča have a lot to offer. Kežmarok, also called the Pearl under the Tatras, is another jewel in the region (28 km). Spiš Castle and Spišská Kapitula, also called the Spiš Vatican, are another essential stop (19 km).