the national liberation museum maribor (muzej narodne osvoboditve maribor )

This is a small unpresupposing museum which hosts an excellent display covering the complex history of Maribor during World War 2, complex because this area of former Yugoslavia was not just invaded by the Nazis but annexed to the Third Reich. On display are many photos and many curious interesting relevant objects. And there are good information topic panels translated ito English. The Nazis also established a prison camp at Maribor (Stalag 18D) which “accommodated” Yugloslavs, Russians, French and British POWs?! And even Australians!? There is a slouch hat there. And on display too are harrowing photos of Russian POWs, most of whom of course died from the Nazis cruel treatment.

We came to Maribor mostly to see this uncommon museum, hoping to get a objective, yet engaging view of the complex history of 20th century Slovenia. The museum had an extensive array of Nazi occupation photos and documents, mostly showing how regional residents were controlled, incarcerated, shot or sent to camps. There were photos are local war damage to factories, caused by Allied bombing. One room did have a few physical artifacts - weapons, uniforms, etc. Another area showed reconstruction post-war, but less about the politics or ethnic divisions. Unfortunately, the museum felt like it was set up in the 1960's Tito era and has had little updating since. Adjoining rooms had a separate upbeat Industrial success exhibit, colorful but also dated and feeling like commercial propaganda. Rated "very good because it is worth a visit for all who are interested in the history of the past 100 years. Note - the museum building is amazingly hard to find, even though only 3 blocks from the historical town square. They urgently need visible new signs to their off-the street back door.

This museum of national liberation represent's modern history. In time of my visit of this museum last week they had displayed some diffrent exhibitions. At the moment they don't display permanently exhibition, but just many temporary exhibitions. The most interesting exhibition was From Olimpia to Beijing, which shows the history of olympic games and sport with the focus on the success of slovenian sportspersons. That exhibition is really interesting also for person's who don't like ordinary history and I suggest visit to all who wil be in Maribor till December 2008. Other temporaray exhibitions are less interesting, but although worth seeing if you want to know something about slovenian history.The museum is situated in old bourgeois villa which arhitecture is worth seeing for itself. The opening time is a little bit unpleasant, because the museum is open during the weekeng just on Saturday from 9.00 till 12.00, what is in my opinion definitively unwell. What could bother foreign visitor is also the fact that all explanation is written just in slovene language. All in all that museum is not bad at all. It has good exhibitions. But I think it could be better. Specially it shuld be open for broader audience then it is now.

Ein Besuch in Maribor lohnt sich jedenfalls. Einige Stunden Zeit für diese Stadt sind ein gutes "Investment".