Museum of Viticulture – wine history in Apponyi House

History

The Apponyi House was built in 1771 to 1772 on the site of an older Baroque palace, itself built on two medieval town houses. The first wine exhibition opened here in 1932, and after the restoration of the original medieval cellars in 1966 a larger exhibition of wine and viticulture was opened to the public.

Viticulture in Bratislava dates back to the 3rd century, but a turning point came in 1291 when King Andrew III granted the city’s burghers exemption from paying taxes on vineyards. The arrival of German settlers from the Rhineland in the 13th and 14th centuries further developed the local wine culture. By the 19th century, two companies had put Bratislava wine on the international map: J. E. Hubert, which began producing sparkling wine in 1825 following the original French recipe, and Palugyay, established around 1851, both of which received awards at major international exhibitions.

What to expect

The ground floor presents the history of viticulture and the stories of the Hubert and Palugyay companies. The cellars display exhibits documenting wine picking and processing, including voluminous barrels, wine presses and decorated barrel bottoms. The underground spaces also recreate the atmosphere of an early 20th-century wine bar.

The Apponyi Palace also houses the Slovak National Wine Collection, presenting the permanent collection of 100 best Slovak wines with the possibility of tasting.

Getting there

Located on Radničná Street in the heart of the Old Town, directly adjacent to the Old Town Hall and a few minutes walk from the Main Square.

Tips

• A combined ticket gives access to both the Museum of Viticulture and the Old Town Hall exhibitions
• The Slovak National Wine Collection in the cellars offers wine tasting — book in advance at salonvin.sk
• Closed on public holidays including Christmas, Easter and New Year