Banské múzeum v prírode

About the museum

The Banské múzeum v prírode (Open-Air Mining Museum) lies about one kilometre from the centre of Banská Štiavnica, in a picturesque valley below the Klinger reservoir (tajch Klinger). For 50 years it has offered visitors a tour of the original mine workings. As the oldest and thematically most extensive mining exhibition in Slovakia, it shows the development of ore mining in the Central European region from the Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century.

The most valuable exhibit of the underground exhibition is a horse-powered whim (gápeľ) – the only surviving pulley machine from a mine hoist in Slovakia. On the surface, the Kachelman water-column winding engine dominates; it was moved from the Lill shaft in Hodruša and is a monument to the famous era of water-column engines, which in the 18th century saved mining in Banská Štiavnica from extinction. The surface section also includes a geological education exhibition with a geological map of Slovakia and seventy rock stations.

Highlights

• Horse-powered whim (gápeľ) – the only one preserved in Slovakia
• Kachelman water-column winding engine from the Lill shaft
• Tour of the original underground workings in the Bartolomej adit (štôlňa Bartolomej)
• Geological education exhibition with seventy rock stations
• Surface exhibition of technical mining monuments

Permanent exhibitions

• Podzemná expozícia (štôlňa Bartolomej) – Tour of the original mine workings with the horse-powered whim.
• Povrchová expozícia – Technical mining monuments of the region, including the Kachelman water-column winding engine, and a geological education exhibition.

Operated by

Slovenské banské múzeum

Admission & discounts

The price list applies from 1 October 2026. Underground admission is €14, reduced €7; the surface exhibition alone costs €2, reduced €1. Admission is free for members of ICOM and ZMS, children under 6, holders of a journalist's card, and the companion of a person with ZŤP. Children from kindergartens in a group with supervising teachers pay €1. Helmets and lamps are lent on site; a raincoat can be bought at the ticket office if the weather is unsuitable.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

130 steps lead down into the mine and must be climbed again after the tour. The underground exhibition is not recommended for people with claustrophobia. Tickets for holders of a ZŤP card are sold only at the ticket office.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 1 km from the town centre, in the valley below the Klinger reservoir.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit