Pokrajinski muzej Celje

About the museum

The museum opened in Celje on 1 May 1882 as the Mestni muzej Celje (City Museum of Celje); until 1946 it was run by the Muzejsko društvo Celje (Museum Society of Celje). Public-spirited citizens wanted to prevent archaeological objects in particular from being taken to the Joanneum in Graz. Alongside a lapidarium with ancient finds, it had natural history and historical departments and a collection of industrial products.

After the First World War the restored collections were reopened in 1925. In 1946 the museum became a professional institution and moved to the Stara grofija (Old Count's Palace), a late Renaissance palace built after 1580 by the Counts Thurn-Valsassina. In 1966 it was renamed Pokrajinski muzej Celje. In 1963 the department for the National Liberation Struggle had become independent as the Muzej revolucije, today's Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje (Museum of Recent History Celje).

Today the museum presents its collections in the Stara grofija and in the Knežji dvor (Princely Court), which the Counts of Celje built and extended in the 14th and 15th centuries. After the third phase of renovation was completed in 2022, the archaeological exhibition space Celeia – mesto pod mestom (Celeia – A City beneath the City) and an exhibition on the Counts of Celje are on display in the Knežji dvor. Since 1 January 2025 the museum has also been responsible for the Center sodobne umetnosti Celje (Celje Centre of Contemporary Art), with the Likovni salon, the Galerija sodobne umetnosti and the Galerija Račka.

Highlights

• Celjski strop (Celje Ceiling), a painted ceiling from the early 17th century in the ceremonial hall of the Stara grofija
• Archaeological exhibition space Celeia – mesto pod mestom, with remains of Roman Celeia in situ in the basement of the Knežji dvor
• Permanent exhibition on the Counts of Celje in the Knežji dvor
• Cultural-historical collection from the 13th to the 20th century in the Stara grofija
• Exhibition Alma M. Karlin Poti (Journeys) on the traveller and writer from Celje

Permanent exhibitions

• Celeia – mesto pod mestom – The archaeological exhibition space in the basement of the Knežji dvor and under its courtyard shows the remains of Roman Celeia in their original location, including the walls of the former town.
• Grofje Celjski – The exhibition on the first and second floors of the Knežji dvor presents the rise and fall of the medieval Counts of Celje and their heritage.
• Kulturnozgodovinska zbirka s Celjskim stropom – The Stara grofija displays furniture, paintings, sculptures, tableware and weapons from the 13th to the 20th century; the central space is the ceremonial hall with the painted Celje Ceiling from the early 17th century.

Founded

1882

Admission & discounts

Free admission is also granted to unemployed persons, journalists and ICOM members. Holders of the European Youth Card receive 20% off the regular ticket and museum publications.

Accessibility

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

The Knežji dvor is largely accessible: the side entrance has a ramp, the exhibitions can be reached by lift, adapted toilets are on the ground floor and the upper floor, and two marked disabled parking spaces are in front of the museum. In the basement with the exhibition Celeia – mesto pod mestom there are ramps where a companion's help may be needed. In the Stara grofija a ramp leads to the exhibitions on the ground floor and a lift to the first floor; the nearest adapted toilets are in the neighbouring library and in the Knežji dvor. For blind and partially sighted visitors, tactile viewing of some exhibits, a tactile version of the Celje Ceiling and catalogues in large print and Braille are available.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum prepares children's workshops and educational programmes for schools (Antična Celeja – Ancient Celeia, Grofje Celjski – The Counts of Celje, Celjski strop – The Celje Ceiling, Alma M. Karlin, Zgodbe Knežjega mesta – Stories of the Princely Town). A family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The two units are about 150 m apart: Knežji dvor (Trg celjskih knezov 8) and Stara grofija (Muzejski trg 1).

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

Museum shop with publications and items; there is no café in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Knežji dvor has a conference hall; a smaller catering offer is possible when renting. Events take place in the ceremonial hall of the Stara grofija with the Celje Ceiling.

Plan your visit