Museum of Madness: Notes from the Last Stop

The essay “Muzej norosti: Zapiski z zadnje postaje” in Slovenian language by Sonja Bezjak chronicles the transformation of the stigmatized castle Cmurek in Trate, Slovenia, into the Muzej norosti (Museum of Madness). Trate, historically marginalized and once home to a large psychiatric institution, bore the weight of societal stigma associated with mental illness. After the closure of the institution in 2004, local residents initiated efforts to preserve and revitalize the decaying castle and its difficult legacy.

The museum, formally established in 2014, serves not only to protect cultural heritage but also to critically examine the history of institutional care in Slovenia. It presents testimonies of former patients, staff, and residents, offering a powerful critique of dehumanizing conditions in psychiatric institutions. The museum also fosters public dialogue about mental health, human rights, and deinstitutionalization.

Visitors—particularly those connected to similar institutions—contribute to a growing archive of lived experiences, while others, unfamiliar with such histories, are often deeply moved and motivated to advocate for systemic change. The museum today stands as a symbol of community activism, heritage preservation, and a call for inclusive social policies that emphasize care within the community over institutionalization.