Muzejska hiša Semič

About the museum

The building of the museum house was constructed in 1838 as the first school building in Semič and functioned as a school until 1931. During the Second World War, courses for partisans were held in it; later it served as a local office, health station, police station, post office and residential house.

In 1973 the Krajevna muzejska zbirka Semič (Semič Local Museum Collection) opened there, which became a branch of the Belokranjski muzej Metlika (Bela Krajina Museum in Metlika). In 2019 the museum was completely renovated as part of the Misterion project. The building and its activity are managed by the Kulturni center Semič (Semič Cultural Centre); the historical and wine-growing collection is maintained by the Belokranjski muzej, while the natural history part is looked after by the Prirodoslovni muzej Slovenije (Natural History Museum of Slovenia) and the Občina Semič (Municipality of Semič).

Today the museum house contains three collections: the Center narave Bele krajine, the local collection Semič in twenty pictures and the wine-growing collection in a tasting cellar. Visitors learn about the geology, the living world and the waters of the Bela krajina karst, and the thousand-year history of Semič and its surroundings.

Highlights

• Center narave Bele krajine: natural history collection on rocks, waters, plants and animals
• Local collection Semič in twenty pictures, from the 5th millennium BC to the founding of the municipality
• Wine-growing collection in the tasting cellar
• Cave shell: Jalžić’s congeria
• Museum house adapted for people with reduced mobility

Permanent exhibitions

• Center narave Bele krajine – The interactive natural history collection presents the geological past of Bela krajina and the diversity of its living world, waters and karst underground.
• Semič v dvajsetih slikah – The local history collection shows life in Semič and its surroundings from the earliest traces in Moverna vas to the founding of the independent municipality in 1995.
• Vinogradniška zbirka – In the tasting cellar, typical objects are displayed that wine growers used in the first half of the 20th century.

Founded

1973

Operated by

Kulturni center Semič (stavba in dejavnost); zbirke: Belokranjski muzej Metlika, Prirodoslovni muzej Slovenije

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for individual visitors on 8 February, 18 May, 27 September and 3 December.

Free admission for members of the Belokranjsko muzejsko društvo (Bela Krajina Museum Society), members of the Slovensko muzejsko društvo (Slovenian Museum Society), holders of ICOM, ICOMOS and PRESS cards, pre-school children, people with special needs, and unemployed persons with a certificate. Price list valid from 1 June 2026.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

The level corridor on the ground floor leads to the wine-growing collection, and a lift takes visitors to the historical and natural history collections. A disabled parking space is right beside the museum; the disabled toilet is on the ground floor.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The Center narave Bele krajine is designed interactively and is also adapted for vulnerable groups; a family ticket, worksheets and creative workshops are available.

Getting there & parking

The museum stands in the market centre of Semič, beside the church of St Stephen. From Novo mesto the route runs across Gorjanci and Jugorje; from the motorway junction Ivančna Gorica it runs past Žužemberk, Dolenjske Toplice and Črmošnjice.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The wine bar (vinoteka) can be rented (up to 6 hours €100, each further hour €15), as can the protocol hall (up to 3 hours €50, each further hour €10); lower prices apply to associations and institutions in the public interest.

Plan your visit