Múzeum Solivar v Prešove

About the museum

The Solivar in Prešov is the only preserved above-ground complex of technical and historic buildings in Slovakia for pumping and boiling salt from brine. Brine was used here from the 11th century; from the 13th century the site was mainly linked with the Soós de Soóvar family, and from 1572 to 1752 rock salt was also mined alongside the brine. A fundamental break came in 1752, when a large amount of water flowed into the Leopold shaft and flooded its lower and middle levels. At the beginning of the 19th century the boiling houses František (1800) and Ferdinand (1806), new brine reservoirs and the Sklad soli (salt store) were added. The František boiling house operated continuously until 1970.

The complex is now managed by the Slovenské technické múzeum. Its most important objects include the 18th-century gápeľ, the hoist above the Leopold shaft, which was driven by horses; the wooden Četerne, brine tanks from 1815; the Varňa František with the exhibition Dejiny ťažby a výroby soli v Solivare; the reconstructed Sklad soli with the Kráľovská komora (Royal Chamber); and the mining site Klopačka. Reconstruction of the František boiling house was completed in 1997, and its permanent exhibition was opened in May 2001.

Visitors can choose a large circuit of the site (about 90 minutes, 1.4 km on foot, recommended for children from the age of 6) or a shorter circuit in the Sklad soli with wooden models of the structures, an exhibition on salt production and current exhibitions. The large circuit also includes a permanent exhibition on Dr Štefan Butkovič, the founder of the technical museum in Slovakia.

Highlights

• Gápeľ above the Leopold shaft from the 18th century – technical monument of European importance
• Wooden Četerne from 1815, built without a single nail
• Varňa František with the exhibition Dejiny ťažby a výroby soli v Solivare
• Sklad soli with the Kráľovská komora and models of the site
• Production of soľnobanská čipka (salt-mining lace)
• Permanent exhibition on Dr Štefan Butkovič

Permanent exhibitions

• Dejiny ťažby a výroby soli v Solivare – The permanent exhibition of the Slovenské technické múzeum in the Varňa František explains the extraction, processing and distribution of salt, from the shaft to storage.
• Dr. Štefan Butkovič – Permanent exhibition on the life and work of the founder of the technical museum and pioneer of technical museology in Slovakia, located in the Varňa František.
• Nový solivar PREZIDENT MASARYK – Exhibition on salt production in the Sklad soli, part of the shorter circuit.

Operated by

Slovenské technické múzeum Košice

Director

Marek Duchoň

Admission & discounts

The price list applies from 1 April 2026. Free admission on the first Wednesday of the month has been abolished since 1 January 2025. The guided commentary is included in the admission price. Photography and filming cost €1; professional photography (with a tripod, filming, weddings) costs €50 per started hour. Free admission also for children up to 3 years, holders of ZMS, ICOM, AMG ČR, ITIC and PRESS cards, and the teaching escort of school groups (one teacher per 10 pupils). Holders of the Kňazovický medal and of the Diamond and Gold Jánsky plaque enter free from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 small circuit of the Sklad soli is also suitable for visitors with disabilities; the large circuit leads uphill and includes stairs and wooden ladders.

Kids & families

Recommended for ages 6+

• Family tours & workshops

The large circuit (1.4 km on foot) is recommended for children aged 6 and over; the family ticket applies. The museum organises educational and experience programmes and traditional events (European Night of Museums, Salt Day, Christmas in the Museum).

Getting there & parking

Tickets are bought at the Sklad soli on Námestie osloboditeľov.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The reconstructed Sklad soli has a congress hall and spaces for cultural and social events.

Plan your visit