Cerkljanski muzej

About the museum

The building in the centre of Cerkno was constructed just before the First World War as the seat of the district court. Between the two wars and during the Italian occupation the Finance Guard and the royal carabinieri were based in it; during the Second World War partisan organisations used it, and after the war a lower grammar school and a primary school operated there.

Museum activity began in 1978, when the department of the National Liberation Struggle (NOB) of the Mestni muzej Idrija came to life in the building. In 1998–1999 the building was comprehensively renovated and new exhibitions were set up. Today the Cerkljanski muzej is a unit of the Mestni muzej Idrija and researches and presents the heritage of the Cerkno region.

The museum also organises temporary exhibitions, lectures and workshops for children, and provides programmes for visitors linked to its permanent displays.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition Cerkljanska skozi stoletja (The Cerkno Region Through the Centuries) in ten thematic sections
• Exhibition Pust je kriv! (It's the Carnival's Fault!) on the Cerkno laufarji and all 25 carnival figures
• Wooden head masks (larfe) and costumes of the laufarji
• Multilingual multimedia presentation of the carnival rite
• Former court building in the centre of Cerkno

Permanent exhibitions

• Cerkljanska skozi stoletja – The exhibition shows the history of the Cerkno region from the first written mentions in the 13th century to the end of the 20th century, in ten thematic sections, including the life of local people, crafts and notable natives.
• Pust je kriv! – Pripoved o cerkljanskih laufarjih – The exhibition presents all 25 carnival figures of the Cerkno laufarija with costumes and wooden masks, and the course of the rite, along with a multimedia visualisation in four languages.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Mestni muzej Idrija

Admission & discounts

Prices valid from 1 March 2026. The full museum visit for individuals costs €6 (reduced €4).

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

Steps lead to the museum entrance at the junction of Bevkova and Platiševa ulica. For details on accessibility, please contact the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum organises workshops for children and programmes for schools; a family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The museum stands in the centre of Cerkno at the junction of Bevkova and Platiševa ulica. Bus passengers can get off right at the museum.

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