In a small village Uzovce In the Šariš Highlands, you will find the unique mausoleum of the Bujanovics family, probably in the Classicist style.
From history
The mausoleum was commissioned by Július Bujanovics (1862–1946), a landowner from Šariš and an expert in agriculture, in memory of his son. His son was a skilled pilot who operated along what is now the Italian–Slovenian border. According to military records held in the Vienna Military Archives, it is clear that Albert completed 37 operational flights and was involved in just one aerial engagement. He had received several military decorations. His fate was sealed during a training flight on 19 March 1918 over San Giustina airfield, when he crashed from a height of about 20 metres. First Lieutenant Bujanovics was killed instantly; the passenger sitting in the observer’s seat, First Lieutenant Ambros Stöckl of the 92nd Infantry Regiment, suffered serious injuries.
A memorial service
A native of eastern Slovakia, he was not yet 23 years old. He was buried in a sarcophagus decorated with the family coat of arms, in two coffins in fact – one made of tin and the other of iron. The structure, measuring approximately five by five metres and six metres high, takes the form of a crypt; its façade is smooth, and in the centre of the front is a longitudinal entrance with heavy iron doors. There are two small columns on either side of the entrance. The crypt is covered by a dome, divided by fluted half-columns.
According to local residents, Russian soldiers opened the grave during the Second World War, looted it, and, under the previous regime, reburied Albert’s remains in the local cemetery.
The museum had fallen into disrepair for quite some time, but a complete renovation began in 2020.
Source: Uzovce Local Authority
Photo credit: Len Alderamín
Map
Gallery
Information
The Albert Bujanovics Mausoleum is situated in the village of Uzovce in the Sabinov district. When using a sat-nav, you can enter the location of Uzovce, or use the following GPS coordinates: approximately 49.088623, 21.182642. The mausoleum is situated right in the village, so the easiest way to get there is to travel by car or bus to Uzovce and then follow the map or local signposts.
Rather than a conventional exhibition, it is a solemn historical monument that is best appreciated from the outside.
