Muzej premogovništva Slovenije

About the museum

The founding charter of the Muzej premogovništva Slovenije (Museum of Slovenian Coal Mining) was solemnly signed in Velenje on 3 November 1957, on the initiative of the Velenje branch of the Društvo rudarskih in metalurških inženirjev in tehnikov (Society of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers and Technicians). Its aim was to preserve mining heritage threatened with oblivion and destruction; its seat was in Velenje Castle. In 1999 the coal mining collection was moved to a new museum in the renovated Stari jašek, also called Škalski jašek, and all objects the museum had collected from Slovene coal mines since its founding were transferred there.

A fire in 2012 destroyed a large part of the rich heritage in the underground part of the museum. After the fire it was repaired, restored and upgraded with new scenes, while the authenticity of the mine from different periods was preserved and modern audiovisual technology added. The museum was created by converting the abandoned underground spaces of the Premogovnik Velenje, which gradually developed into a single underground museum complex.

Visitors, led by guides in mining clothing and helmets, descend through the Stari jašek to the galleries, where in 18 scenes with puppet miners they learn how mining was done in the past and how it is done today. The outdoor spaces have remained largely unchanged since the miners left; there is a miner’s dwelling from before 1930 and a collection on the development of Slovene coal mining. In 2025, for the 150th anniversary of the Premogovnik Velenje, the largest exhibition object was set up in the museum park: hydraulic supports, a cutting machine and a chain conveyor.

Highlights

• Underground tour 160 metres below the surface with 18 scenes of mining work
• Skok čez kožo (jumping over the hide) ritual and descent with the oldest lift in Slovenia
• Miner’s dwelling from before 1930 with original furniture of the Stropnik family
• Black and white changing rooms, assembly hall and miners’ bathhouse
• Museum park with the Dominion cutting machine and the geological pillar of the Šaleška dolina (Šalek Valley)

Permanent exhibitions

• Podzemni ogled: Muzej premogovništva Slovenije – The guided tour 160 metres below the surface shows, in eighteen scenes, the development of coal mining from the first finds to the Velenje mining method, and the life of miners.
• Stalna razstava slovenskega premogovništva na prostem – A walk through ten thematic sections presents the origin and use of coal, the technical development of mining, personal protective equipment, mine rescue workers and the life of miners.
• Rudarsko stanovanje – An authentic miner’s dwelling from before 1930, with original furniture of the Stropnik family, shows the modest living conditions of miners in the colonies.

Founded

1957

Operated by

Premogovnik Velenje

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to a guided visit of the museum. The experiences Velenje Underground (about 3 hours, with dinner in the mine) and “Skrivnosti potopljenih vasi” (Secrets of the Submerged Villages) (about 4 hours, with a boat trip on the lake) are booked through the Turistični zavod Šaleške doline (Šalek Valley Tourist Office) (03 896 17 15, turizem@velenje.si).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

• Family tours & workshops

The underground tour is suitable for children older than 6. Krt Liga (the mole), the mascot of the Premogovnik Velenje and the museum, is a virtual guide mainly for younger visitors. For schools, educational programmes are available (IEMIC), including “Med podzemljem in vesoljem” (Between the Underground and Space).

Getting there & parking

The museum stands on Koroška cesta in Velenje, in the former Stari jašek (Škalski jašek) of the Premogovnik Velenje.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with mining souvenirs. As part of the Velenje Underground experience, a dinner is available 160 metres below the surface in the dining room Štajgerjeva južna.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 1,000 guests.

The assembly hall, the black and white changing rooms (each for up to 200 people), spaces in the mine (up to 200 people) and a space in the museum park for 500 to 1,000 people are available; the museum hosts business meetings, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.

Plan your visit