Dolenjski muzej

About the museum

The idea of a museum for Novo mesto and Dolenjska dates back to 1865, when the town celebrated its 500th anniversary. The Muzejsko društvo (Museum Society), founded in 1941 by local intellectuals and collecting museum material, prepared the ground for the founding of the museum in 1950. From 1951 the museum has been housed in the Križatija building, and the first permanent exhibition opened in 1953.

In the eighties of the 20th century the museum took on its present form: besides the central complex, the remote units Jakčev dom and Kočevski rog joined it. The central complex consists of four buildings: Križatija, the memorial hall with exhibition rooms, the Galerija and the Ropasova hiša.

The museum has five curatorships (archaeology, ethnology, cultural history, recent history and art history), an educational department and a restoration workshop for archaeological objects. Its finds from the Late Iron Age, especially from Novo mesto, are particularly well known.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition Arheološka podoba Dolenjske (Archaeological Image of Dolenjska) with finds from Kapiteljska njiva
• Exhibition Dolenjska in njeni ljudje (Dolenjska and Its People) in the Ropasova hiša
• Exhibition of recent history from the 19th century to the liberation of Novo mesto in 1945
• Viewing platform on the bell tower of the St Nicholas Cathedral
• Museum also open to dogs accompanied by their owners

Permanent exhibitions

• Arheološka podoba Dolenjske – The exhibition in Križatija presents life in Dolenjska from the Stone Age to the Early Middle Ages, including finds from graves at Kapiteljska njiva in Novo mesto.
• Dolenjska in njeni ljudje – The exhibition in the Ropasova hiša presents rural life and crafts in Dolenjska in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, including milling, pottery, gingerbread-making and candle-making.
• Razstava novejše zgodovine – The exhibition covers the period from the first organised workers' activities to the liberation of Novo mesto on 8 May 1945, with emphasis on the National Liberation Struggle.

Founded

1950

Operated by

Dolenjski muzej Novo mesto (javni zavod)

Admission & discounts

Guided tour for a group after the archaeological excavation (by prior arrangement): adults €5, students and pensioners €3.

Accessibility

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

The museum is also open to dogs accompanied by their owners (project Muzej, prijazen psom – Museum Friendly to Dogs); a special area with water is available for dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum has an educational department, museum workshops and an offer for children's birthday parties; a family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The electric bus Leon runs Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 15:00 and on Saturdays between 8:30 and 13:00.

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