Belokranjski muzej Metlika

About the museum

The Belokranjski muzej (Bela Krajina Museum) began operating on 1 May 1951, when the Muzejsko društvo (Museum Society) opened it in two rooms of the Metlika provost's residence. The idea of a museum of its own for Bela krajina was older, since a committee to realise it had already been formed in 1910, but it was only completed after the Second World War. The key role was played by Professor Jože Dular, who led the museum for thirty years and laid its foundations.

The museum later moved to Metlika Castle, where it remains today. In mid-1999 comprehensive renovation of the castle began, during which the museum was closed to visitors for almost three years. In 2001 the museum also took over the management of the Galerija Kambič, and it runs the Spominska hiša Otona Župančiča (Oton Župančič Memorial House) in Vinica and organises exhibitions in the Muzejska hiša (Museum House) in Semič.

The museum looks after the movable cultural heritage of the land between the Gorjanci and the Kolpa and has the status of a regional museum. Its collections hold more than 25,000 objects: archaeological finds, ethnological and cultural-historical material, objects from recent history, and works by the sculptor Alojz Gangl.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition Bela krajina v odsevu sedmih tisočletij (Bela Krajina Reflected in Seven Millennia) in Metlika Castle
• Archaeological finds from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity, including a vessel from Moverna vas and a gold coin from Podzemelj
• Ethnological collection with Bela krajina decorated Easter eggs (pisanice) and rovaši
• Works by the sculptor Alojz Gangl
• Collection of recent history with material on the National Liberation Struggle

Permanent exhibition

• Bela krajina v odsevu sedmih tisočletij – The permanent exhibition in Metlika Castle shows life in Bela krajina in chronological order, from the Neolithic and antiquity through the Middle Ages and the Uskok settlements to recent history and the National Liberation Struggle.

Founded

1951

Operated by

Belokranjski muzej Metlika (javni zavod)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for individual visitors on 8 February (Slovenian Cultural Holiday), 18 May (International Museum Day), 27 September (World Tourism Day) and 3 December (Day of Slovenian Culture), and on the first Sunday of every month.

Free admission for members of the Belokranjsko muzejsko društvo, members of the Slovensko muzejsko društvo, holders of ICOM, ICOMOS and PRESS cards, pre-school children, persons with special needs, and unemployed persons with a certificate.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum organises workshops for children and families and educational programmes with worksheets; a family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a sales programme (publications and souvenirs); the Grajska klet (Castle Cellar) is also in the castle.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum allows the use of its rooms after a preliminary application for approval.

Plan your visit