Kaštieľ a Múzeum regiónu Bielych Karpát
A romantic manor house built in the Neo-Gothic style is an unexpected architectural gem of the tiny village of Bohunice, located on the right bank of the Váh river, not far from the town of Ilava. The museum, which is part of the property, showcases the region of the surrounding Biele Karpaty. Follow the footsteps of history to this remarkably beautiful place and let yourself be enchanted by the atmosphere that reigns here.
The first mention of the manor house dates back to 1712, but the curia acquired its present appearance in the mid-19th century. Hungarian noble families Medňanský and Kubínyi contributed to the reconstruction in the spirit of historical Romanticism between the years 1861 and 1866. To meet the needs of the noble families, Kaplnka sv. Cyrila a Metoda, serving as a family crypt, was built in the grounds with an English park and a pond. A sad story of the Kubínyi family is tied to the building. Juraj Kubínyi and his wife Jana Medňanská, who was the daughter of Alojz Medňanský, a prominent author of works such as Dejiny slovenských hradov (History of Slovak Castles) or Malebná cesta dolu Váhom (A Picturesque Journey Down the Váh), used the manor house as their family residence. After the birth of their daughter Mária, a cholera epidemic broke out in the area, claiming Jana Medňanská and her little daughter as victims in 1866. The heartbroken Juraj Kubínyi had the Neo-Gothic crypt built to lay their bodies to rest, and he himself was laid to rest there in 1902 as the last heir to Medňanský's estate. Since then, the curia changed hands, belonging for instance to Žigmund Rizner, brother of Ľudmila Podjavorinská, who allegedly wrote her famous rhymed fairytale "Čin-čin" inspired by the sparrows in the local English park.
In the 1950s, the residence was seized from the family by the regime of the time, and a library, a folk school, and a shop were established in the premises of the manor house. From 1989 onwards, the building fell into disrepair. It was not until 2010 that the necessary subsidy for reconstruction was successfully obtained, and Múzeum regiónu Bielych Karpát opened its doors in the newly renovated premises in 2012. Since the village of Bohunice does not have its own cultural hall, it also uses the manor house for cultural and social events. The grounds can also be used for weddings and wedding photo shoots.
Múzeum regiónu Bielych Karpát offers a rich array of interesting exhibitions. You will be welcomed by wax figures of prominent personalities from the MAS Vršatec project (a local action group, a civic association), such as Vojtech Zamarovský, St. Benedict, or Božena Riznerová Obrová. For nature lovers, an exhibition of animals and butterflies from the Biele Karpaty region is prepared. Motoring enthusiasts will be pleased by an exhibition of motorcycles on loan from Vlastivedné múzeum v Považskej Bystrici, documenting their production in Považské strojárne between 1947 and 2009. Last but not least, artistic souls will find their delight in the permanent exhibition Genius Loci, featuring works by Bohunice native and academic painter Ján Matejko (1919–1980). The mystery of the art of glassmaking, along with an overview of 20th-century production from the glassworks and glass museum in Lednické Rovne, will be revealed to you by the local glass exhibition. Equally beautiful art, though the art of the written word, is represented by the exhibition of Ľudmila Podjavorinská, whose works have accompanied many from childhood into adulthood. Finally, the museum also hides the antique boudoir of opera singer and actress Božena Riznerová Obrová and an extraordinary ethnographic exhibition of hemp canvas production.
After touring the interior spaces, do not forget to visit the adjacent English park with its small pond and Kaplnka sv. Cyrila a Metoda. The park is dominated by a central trio of trees, a linden, a hornbeam, and a maple, whose crowns form a heart recognizable from a distance, enhancing the magical atmosphere of this place.
Not only the village of Bohunice, but the entire region offers breathtaking places worth visiting. Find accommodation near Kaštieľ a Múzeum regiónu Bielych Karpát, for example in the surrounding guesthouses or apartments. A diverse range of accommodation is also offered by nearby picturesque villages in the foothills of Vršatecké bradlá. You are guaranteed to experience a great stay here, complemented by many memorable experiences from visiting the museum.
