Tehniški muzej Slovenije

About the museum

The Tehniški muzej Slovenije was founded in 1951. Its core was the Gozdarski, lesni in lovski muzej, which had been set up in Bistra Castle a few years earlier; the first collections were opened to the public in October 1953. In its first years the museum encouraged the creation of technical collections across the country, several of which later became independent museums.

The museum is housed in the former Carthusian monastery in Bistra near Vrhnika. The Charterhouse operated here from 1260 until its dissolution in 1782; after a renovation in 1826 the building served as a manor house, and since 1951 it has been the seat of the museum. Part of the monastery architecture has been preserved, including a small Gothic cloister from 1449 and the chapel of St Joseph with stucco work and frescoes.

In the time of director Marjan Vidmar (1963–1994) the exhibition area grew from a few dozen square metres to more than 6,500 m². Today the museum in Bistra has more than 6,300 m² of exhibition space for permanent and temporary exhibitions on agriculture, transport, woodworking, forestry, metalworking, printing, electrical engineering, hunting, fishing and textiles. The museum also has branch units: the Muzej pošte in telekomunikacij in Polhov Gradec and the collections at Bogenšperk Castle; in addition there are display depots in Soteska and Pivka.

Highlights

• The largest Slovenian museum by exhibition area, in the former Bistra Charterhouse
• Collections on agricultural machinery, forestry, woodworking, transport, printing, electrical engineering, hunting, fishing and textiles
• Permanent exhibitions Dve kolesi in par nog and Motorji iz Kopra
• Demonstrations of Nikola Tesla's experiments and of the Vega pulley system
• Museum park around the monastery complex

Permanent exhibitions

• Dve kolesi in par nog – The exhibition shows the historical development of the bicycle and the achievements of domestic bicycle manufacturers.
• Motorji iz Kopra – The permanent exhibition presents the development of motorcycles, mopeds and machinery manufactured in Koper.

Founded

1951

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 8 February (Slovenian Cultural Holiday), 18 May (International Museum Day), the third Saturday in June (Summer Museum Night, 18:00–24:00) and 3 December (Ta veseli dan kulture): free admission for individual visitors and families.

The price list applies from 1 July 2026. Free admission for friends of TMS, members of ICOM and Slovenskega muzejskega društva, and for the unemployed. Holders of some cards (e.g. Hostelling International, EYCA, AMZS, Turistična zveza Slovenije) receive a 20% discount on the individual adult ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Guide dogs and assistance dogs with the appropriate licence may enter the museum and guided tours. Other dogs may only go to the museum park, on a leash.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Families are especially welcome at weekends: from March to December one Sunday per month is devoted to free creative workshops and demonstrations of old crafts and Nikola Tesla's experiments; in July and August events also take place midweek. A family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The museum stands in the settlement of Bistra near Vrhnika; its postal address is 1353 Borovnica.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 120 guests.

The Dvorana Nikole Tesle (120 m², up to 120 visitors or 80 seats) and the Kočijašnica (90 m², up to 50 people) are equipped with a projector; the atrium, the courtyard and the museum park (more than 500 people) are also available. Rental follows the museum's price list.

Plan your visit