Múzeum praveku Slovenska

About the museum

The Museum of Prehistory of Slovakia was established in 2007 in the Prepoštská Cave area as an open-air educational exhibition, directly on the rare site where Neanderthal man lived on the territory of Slovakia. Bojnice is considered the most important Neanderthal site in the country. The Neanderthal site was discovered by the priest and provost of Bojnice, Karol Anton Medvecký; in his honour, the travertine cave received the name Prepoštská (Provost's Cave).

The museum operates largely thanks to the volunteer work of local enthusiasts, who cleared the site and prepared it for visitors. In front of the cave, beneath a massive travertine overhang, is a diorama of prehistoric life; visitors learn how people lived, what tools they made, which animals they hunted and from which animals bones were found here.

Prepoštská Cave is a national natural monument, and its surroundings have been a protection zone since 2006. The site has kept the character of wild nature in the very centre of the town.

Highlights

• Open-air exhibition by Prepoštská Cave
• Diorama of Neanderthal life beneath the travertine overhang
• Night tours by torchlight
• Prehistoric creative workshops for schools
• Barefoot path into prehistory

Permanent exhibition

• Náučná expozícia v prírode pri Prepoštskej jaskyni – Exhibition on Neanderthal life at the Palaeolithic site, with a diorama beneath the travertine overhang.

Founded

2007

Admission & discounts

Teaching staff and group supervisors (1 person per 20 group members) have free admission. Cultural vouchers are not accepted. Photography and filming for private and educational purposes is free of charge.

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

The site is in its original natural setting, and entry is at your own risk. There is no toilet on the museum grounds. From the church, steps lead down to the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The prehistoric creative workshops are meant to be experienced “hands-on”; the site also has a barefoot trail made of natural materials (stone, bark, gravel, wood, pine cones).

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic centre of Bojnice on the grounds of Prepoštská Cave, about 5 minutes on foot from St. Martin's Church on Hurbanovo námestie; from the castle and zoo it is about 10 minutes on foot. The entrance is from Rybníčky street. Postal address: Svätoplukova 28, 972 01 Bojnice.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is no toilet on the site, as it is an outdoor exhibition. A shop sells original souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit