Opening of the exhibition “IN (Novo) MESTO? German bombing. ruins. reconstruction.”

On Wednesday, 5 February 2025, the opening of the exhibition “IN (Novo) MESTO? German bombing. ruins. reconstruction.” took place at the Park of Military History.

The event commenced with an address by the Director of the Park of Military History, Mag. Janko Boštjančič, followed by a welcome speech from Ms Jasna Dokl Osolnik, Director of the Dolenjska Museum Novo mesto and the exhibition’s author, and Ms Marjeta Bregar, historian and curator at the Dolenjska Museum. The exhibition was officially inaugurated by Mag. Matjaž Ravbar, Director General of the Directorate for War Veterans and Military Heritage. The opening ceremony was enriched by a performance from the Slovenian Armed Forces Orchestra.

The exhibition “In (Novo) Mesto? German Bombing. Ruins. Reconstruction.” was curated by historian and curator Marjeta Bregar from the Dolenjska Museum in collaboration with architect Natalija Zanoški from the Society of Architects of Dolenjska and Bela Krajina, art historian Katarina Dajčman, and designer Maja Rudolf Markovič. The construction of the wooden exhibition structure was supported by the Secondary School of Construction, Woodworking, and Early Childhood Education in Novo Mesto.

The exhibition was financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and the Municipality of Novo Mesto, with additional support for its hosting provided by the Park of Military History.

The exhibition presents the German aerial bombings of Novo Mesto during the Second World War, focusing particularly on the three attacks that struck the Dolenjska capital in the spring of 1941 and the autumn of 1943. However, the exhibition is not solely about the air raids, the suffering, and the fear experienced by the inhabitants; it also highlights the city’s reconstruction, which took more than a decade to complete.

Through extensive archival and photographic material, the exhibition offers insight into the pre-war, wartime, and post-war events in Novo Mesto. It revives the memories of residents who lived through the bombings, raises awareness of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance, and underscores the importance of preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

The hosting of the exhibition coincides with the Park’s temporary exhibition “Slovenia Under a Hail of Bombs – Allied Bombings 1944–1945,” which was opened last September. This allows visitors to gain a more comprehensive insight into the wartime events in Slovenian airspace during the Second World War.

The exhibition will be on display at the Park of Military History until 30 March.

You are kindly invited to visit!