Slovenski etnografski muzej

About the museum

The origins of the Slovenski etnografski muzej lie in the ethnographic collections of the Carniolan Provincial Museum in Ljubljana, founded in 1821. They were first presented to the public in 1888, when the Rudolfinum building was completed. An important step was the establishment of an ethnographic institute in 1921; in 1923 the Kraljevi etnografski muzej (Royal Ethnographic Museum) became independent of the Narodni muzej. In 1964 it received its present name.

After the Second World War the museum developed scientific research with fieldwork. As it had no space for a permanent display, it prepared exhibitions at other locations, including Goričane Castle, which housed the non-European collections. After 1994, when the government allocated the museum part of the former Austro-Hungarian barracks on Metelkova ulica, the museum acquired two buildings. The administrative house was ready for use in 1997, and the exhibition house was opened in December 2004 after renovation.

Today the museum at Muzejska ploščad Metelkova (Metelkova Museum Square) holds collections of Slovenian and non-European heritage. On display is the permanent exhibition Med naravo in kulturo (Between Nature and Culture), with about three thousand objects, together with the exhibitions Človek in čas (Man and Time), Nesnovna kulturna dediščina Slovenije (Intangible Cultural Heritage of Slovenia) and Plečnikova Lectarija (Plečnik's Lectaria). The museum also offers programmes for children, a café with a garden, and weaving and pottery studios.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition Med naravo in kulturo (Between Nature and Culture) with more than 3,000 objects
• Exhibitions Človek in čas: Prvih 100 (The First 100) and Od ponedeljka do večnosti (From Monday to Eternity)
• Intangible cultural heritage of Slovenia
• Plečnik's Lectaria: candle-making and gingerbread-making products
• Tactile copies of objects with audio descriptions
• Café SEM with a fenced garden for families

Permanent exhibitions

• Med naravo in kulturo – The permanent exhibition shows the treasury of the museum's collections: more than three thousand objects of Slovenian and non-European everyday and festive heritage.
• Človek in čas: Prvih 100 – The first part of the permanent exhibition presents one hundred objects that tell the stories of their origin, makers, users and life in the museum.
• Nesnovna kulturna dediščina Slovenije – The exhibition presents practices, expressions, knowledge and skills entered in the national register of intangible cultural heritage.

Founded

1923

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month.

Free admission also for group escorts, unemployed persons, museum donors and holders of ICOM, SMD, SMS, PRESS and Kulturni bazar cards. Workshops for children and adults cost from €6 to €150.

Accessibility

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

The exhibition and administrative houses are equipped with lifts; the toilets are adapted. For blind and partially sighted visitors there are tactile floor plans and magnifying glasses (at reception), a portable induction loop, and tactile copies of objects with audio descriptions in several languages. The exhibition Dotik preteklosti (Touch of the Past) has video content in Slovenian Sign Language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The programme Mali mojster (Little Master) offers workshops for children and families; children's birthday programmes are also available. The fenced garden of the café is suitable for families.

Getting there & parking

The museum stands on Muzejska ploščad Metelkova.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café SEM in the museum premises operates as a separate unit and is open every day from 7:00 to 1:00; it has a large fenced garden. The museum shop offers SEM products made of clay, wood, honey, textiles and more. Wi-Fi is mentioned only for the rental spaces.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 70 guests.

Hire of the hall with foyer in the administrative house (up to 70 persons, weekdays 8:00–19:00) and of the SEM studio / multipurpose hall in the exhibition house (10–20 persons); catering is possible.

Plan your visit