A new art installation has appeared in the park on Hlavná Street in Košice, right next to Urban’s Tower and Urban’s Bell. It immediately caught the attention of locals and visitors alike. It is a detailed bronze model that brings together the three main architectural landmarks of the historic center: St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, Urban’s Tower, and St. Michael’s Chapel.
Art You Can Touch for Everyone
Many people consider such miniatures to be mere street decorations, but this project has a profound social significance. The bronze cast is designed so that it can be explored not only with the eyes.
What makes this object unique is that it is fully accessible to people with visual impairments. Visitors can touch the miniature, using their fingers to explore the proportions, relief, and architectural features of the city’s most famous buildings. Basic information about the landmarks on the model is provided in Braille.
As noted by the project’s initiators from the I. Lions Club Košice, this idea was inspired by similar initiatives in other European capitals, particularly in Vienna, where a similar model of St. Stephen’s Cathedral was created thanks to a local club. It took several years to bring the project to life in Košice, and the symbolic unveiling was timed to coincide with the European Heritage Days in September.
Technical Specifications and Project Creators
The large-scale bronze composition is impressive in its dimensions:
- The sculpture measures approximately 123 by 97 centimeters, with a height of about 53 centimeters.
- The structure weighs nearly 200 kilograms and is securely mounted on a sturdy stone pedestal.
- The total height of the installed sculpture reaches 127 centimeters, making it easy to view and interact with.
A team of specialists worked on the creation of this unique piece. Peter Beňo served as the recognized inventor and co-author, Jakub Cmarko handled the casting of the bronze portion, and Pavol Mészáros provided the design documentation. The organizers, led by club president Peter Berinšter, funded the initiative using their own resources and charitable contributions from the organization’s members, while the city government allocated a plot in the city center and provided full cooperation.
The new interactive installation is now accessible along all of the city’s walking routes, offering visitors a chance to view familiar historical landmarks from a completely different perspective.
