Danubiana turns 25

The Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, located on a peninsula on the Danube in the vicinity of the Slovak capital of Bratislava, is one of the most stunning places created specifically for modern and contemporary art in Central Europe in the 21st century.

It was founded thanks to the determination of art dealer Vincent Polakovič and the involvement of Dutch investor Gerard Meulensteen. The building, resembling the shape of a Roman galley with oars, was designed by Slovak architect Peter Žalman.

The idea of a museum in the shape of a ship refers to its location – the Danube – which connects the countries of the region. It is especially symbolic in Čunovo, where the borders of Slovakia, Hungary and Austria meet.

Katarzyna Jagodzińska came to visit the museum in its jubilee year, 2025 – a quarter century after its opening – to learn how the place has rooted in this amazing spot. Her guide at the tour of the immense grounds of the museum is Michaela Simonova. The museum turns out to be an integral part of the green ecosystem – not only a place for art, but also leisure to enjoy Danube’s beauty accompanied by chirping birds on one of the many deckchairs.