YMCA Slovakia, a part of YMCA worldwide movement, is a voluntary, non-political and non-confessional association of young people. The way of our work empowers young people, enabling them to be active, change themselves and their surroundings. The goal of YMCA is a harmonious development of body, mind and spirit of young people. We believe that everyone can lead a healthy, responsible and joyful li
fe in society, be an active citizen and help others. The YMCA building
History
The YMCA in Slovakia started its activities after the World War I, when the first workers came to Bratislava in the newly established Czechoslovak Republic and brought new ideas, practical experience and material help. In 1920, the first association called „Railway and Postal YMCA in Bratislava“ was established. It was built thanks to the charity of the Baron Juraj von Schulpe, in the place of the famous Schulpe flower gardens. The construction was also funded by the American YMCA, the First Czechoslovak Republic and other supporters. The new building was officially opened three years later, December 8 - 10, 1923, during the 3 rd aniversary of YMCA in Czechoslovakia. Since then, various cultural events, professional evening courses, seminars, theater and movie performances, social evenings, café, library, reading room and other activities took place there. The YMCA building was one of the most important buildings in the city in the early 20th century and was the first YMCA building on the European continent. Between 1926 and 1927, a gym, new club rooms, and apartments were added to the building, and various sporting activities began to develop. However, during the World War II YMCA was banned in Slovakia. It restarted its activities in 1945. Few years later, during comunism (in 1950) all the acitivities of YMCA were stopped again by the government and all assets were taken away by the state. From 1951 until 1989, the building was owned by the Socialist Youth Union. After 1989, the property was expropriated by the constitutional law, and until the 2014 the building was owned by several funds or foundations. In 2014, after many years of attemts of YMCA Slovakia to receive the building back legally, YMCA has been finally recognized by the Slovak court of Justice as the original movement of YMCA since 1945 and a rightful owner of the YMCA building in Bratislava. That means a great privilege and also a huge responsibility for a part of YMCA heritage. Architecture
The YMCA building is a national historical monument, situated in the Old Town of Bratislava, 10 minutes´ walk away from the main railway station. The building is classiefied in a modernist movement, with the influence of the English brick architecture, as well as the elements of decorative experimentation and a faint transition to functionalism. The YMCA building was designed by Czech architect Alois Balan, respecting the Prague architecture. By applying palace architecture, Balán designed the building as a hybrid of administrative, accommodation, social and cultural space. The building has over 9,000 m2.
