Muzej usnjarstva na Slovenskem

About the museum

The museum is based on the tradition of leather-making and of a tannery that goes back to 1788, when the Vošnjak family opened a leather workshop in Šoštanj. The family had a leather tradition from the 16th century; in the 19th century the two workshops developed into a factory and into one of the largest leather factories in the Habsburg monarchy, and later in Yugoslavia. After the Second World War the factory was nationalised; as the Tovarna usnja Šoštanj it declined and in 1999, after 211 years, ceased operating.

The first phase of the Muzej usnjarstva na Slovenskem (Museum of Leather-Making in Slovenia) opened on 19 November 2009, with the support of the Tehniški muzej Slovenije (Technical Museum of Slovenia) and of interested members of the public from former centres of leather-making. Today it operates under the auspices of the Muzej Velenje as the only museum of its kind, collecting, documenting and researching the tangible and intangible heritage of leather-making in Slovenia. It is housed in the former workers’ bathhouse of the factory, a pavilion, a depot and a car park.

The exhibition “Usnjarstvo v Šoštanju” (Leather-Making in Šoštanj) shows the 211-year tradition chronologically, with more than 330 objects and environmental displays of a workers’ flat and the director’s office. The exhibition “Industrijska predelava kož v usnje” (Industrial Processing of Hides into Leather) in the pavilion presents the technological process and about 70 larger objects, among them pam, tanning pits, rolling machines and dressing machines. The operation of the drive-machinery transmission is shown through a demonstration.

Highlights

• The only specialised leather museum in Slovenia
• Exhibition “Usnjarstvo v Šoštanju” with more than 330 objects
• Machines and devices for processing hides into leather; demonstration of the transmission
• Workers’ flat and director’s office as environmental displays

Permanent exhibitions

• Usnjarstvo v Šoštanju – Chronological outline of the 211-year tradition of leather-making in Šoštanj, with environmental displays of a workers’ flat and the director’s office.
• Industrijska predelava kož v usnje – The exhibition in the pavilion shows the technological process from raw hides to leather, with large machines and devices.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Muzej Velenje

Admission & discounts

Free admission for pre-school children accompanied by adults, companions of groups, all groups of disabled people (except working disabled persons) and their companions, holders of ICOM, SMD, SED and PRESS cards, and unemployed persons with a certificate from the Zavod za zaposlovanje (Employment Service). A favourable combined ticket with the Muzej premogovništva Slovenije (Museum of Slovenian Coal Mining) is available.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 fully accessible to people with reduced mobility and to wheelchair users; the toilets are adapted. The museum carries the “Psom dostopen muzej” (Psom Accessible Museum) sign.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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