Múzeum Jozefa Maximiliána Petzvala v Spišskej Belej
The museum in the birthplace of Jozef Maximilián Petzval in Spišská Belá, with an exhibition on photographic and cinematographic technology.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum has been open since 1964 in the birthplace of Jozef Maximilián Petzval (1807–1891), mathematician, physicist, engineer, university professor and pioneer of photographic optics. His brother Otto Baltazár (1809–1893), a mathematician and engineer and author of textbooks on mathematics, mechanics, hydraulic engineering and astronomy, was also born in the house. The museum is now managed by the Slovak Technical Museum.
The exhibition of photographic and cinematographic technology begins with the life and work of both brothers, recalling Petzval's study and short films. It then shows the development of technology from the camera obscura and the first photograph of 1826, through the daguerreotype and a period-furnished photographic studio, to digital cameras. Attention is drawn to a replica of the daguerreotype apparatus with the portrait lens which Petzval was the first to calculate in 1840, and to Krügener's detective camera in the shape of a book.
A separate section on the ground floor is devoted to the history of cinematographic technology, with recording and projection apparatus of all film formats. More than 600 three-dimensional exhibits are displayed on an area of about 280 m².
Highlights
- Birthplace of Jozef Maximilián Petzval
- Replica of the daguerreotype apparatus with Petzval's portrait lens
- Krügener's detective camera in the form of a book
- Period photographic studio and photographic darkroom from the 1970s
- Cinematographic technology and film projection on period projectors
Permanent exhibition
- Expozícia fotografickej a kinematografickej techniky – The exhibition presents the lives of the Petzval brothers, the development of photographic technology from the camera obscura to digital cameras, and the history of cinematographic technology.
- Founded
- 1964
- Operated by
- Slovenské technické múzeum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3pupils and students with a valid card (ISIC, Euro 26, secondary or university student card) and seniors aged 65 to 70 |
| Children & teens | €1free up to age 2 · Pre-school children pay €1; children under 3 enter free. |
| Seniors | €3Seniors aged 65 to 70 pay €3; seniors over 70 pay €1. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Holders of a ZŤP card enter free, including one accompanying person. |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personSchool groups pay €2 per person including the guided talk (at least 10 pupils or students); the pedagogical escort (one teacher per 10 pupils) enters free. |
| Families | €9Family ticket for up to 2 adults and 3 children. |
| Guided talk (surcharge) | €5 |
| Special programmes (educational, experience-based, guided tours) | €3Standard admission. |
| Photography or filming fee | €1 |
| Professional photography, filming or weddings (per started hour) | €50 |
Free admission also for holders of ZMS, AMG ČR, ITIC, ICOM and press cards. Free admission on the first Wednesday of the month was abolished from 1 January 2025. Admission valid from 1 April 2026.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The tour of the exhibition takes 45 to 60 minutes. Groups of more than 7 visitors must be announced in advance. |
