Paviljon EXPANO

Paviljon EXPANO stands on the shore of Soboško jezero, the lake on the edge of Murska Sobota in the Pomurje region of northeastern Slovenia, and it has an unusual origin. It was built as the Slovenian pavilion for the world exhibition, Expo 2015, held in Milan, where Slovenia presented itself to millions of visitors, and after the fair it was dismantled and brought back to Murska Sobota, where it was reassembled as a regional attraction. The name EXPANO combines the idea of the Expo with a play on the word for pavilion. It is therefore a rare thing: a piece of international exhibition architecture, given a permanent home in a small provincial town.

Today the pavilion works as a centre for presenting Pomurje, the land between the Mura and Raba rivers, to visitors. The exhibition introduces the main themes of the region: its flat Pannonian landscape of fields and woods, its rivers and ponds, its thermal waters and spas, its folk traditions and its cuisine, which includes bograč stew, prekmurska gibanica and pumpkin seed oil. Displays are designed to be interactive, with screens, models and hands-on elements aimed at families, and the approach is closer to a modern visitor centre than to a traditional museum. It is a good first stop for anyone who wants to understand the area before heading out to see it.

The pavilion also functions as a tourist information point, helping visitors plan trips around the region, and it includes a restaurant that serves regional dishes, along with a space for events and business meetings. Because the lakeside setting is pleasant, it makes a convenient place for a break. Opening times and ticket arrangements are set by the operator and can change with the season, so check ahead before you visit. Some parts of the experience may be designed for those who read Slovene, but the visuals and objects work for visitors in any language.

Murska Sobota offers plenty of further sights within reach. The City Park with Castle is the main green space of the town, the Evangelical Church of Murska Sobota shows the Lutheran tradition of the region, Rakičan Mansion and the Fazanerija are quiet places on the outskirts, and the Hranilnica Prekmurskih Dobrot is a source of regional food products.

The pavilion suits families, curious travellers and anyone starting a trip in the region. Allow about an hour, and combine it with a walk around the lake. Inside, a Local Tourist Information Board helps with planning, and the whole place shows an unusual side of Pomurje’s identity, the kind of thing Slovenia’s provincial towns rarely get.