Vila Mayer

About the museum

The Vila Mayer (Mayer Villa) was built at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century by the lawyer Dr Fran Mayer, who was for many years mayor of Šoštanj between the two world wars. It is a characteristic example of bourgeois architecture of late historicism, with a corner turret, a carved wooden pavilion and richly painted interior rooms. The last member of the Mayer family lived in it until 1983. The building then passed to the Premogovnik Velenje (Velenje Coal Mine), and in 2002 it was taken over by the Občina Šoštanj (Municipality of Šoštanj). Together with its garden, the villa has been declared a cultural monument of local importance since 2006.

After a thorough renovation, supported by a public tender of the Ministry of Culture together with the European Regional Development Fund, the villa now houses permanent collections of cultural heritage. The sculpture collection presents around 60 works by the academic sculptor Ivan Napotnik (1888–1960) from Zavodnje above Šoštanj, mostly small wooden sculptures. In the cellar is the horticultural collection of the master gardener Alojz Kojc (1898–1945), with professional books and garden tools. Part of the extensive private local-history collection of Zvone A. Čebul includes older books, wooden sculptures, archaeological finds and prints, and a memorial room holds furniture and photographs of the Mayer family.

The villa also displays a selection of 23 works from the collection of the Napotnik Gallery, formerly the school gallery founded in 1963. The villa is also a protocol building of the Municipality of Šoštanj and an official venue for civil weddings.

Highlights

• Sculpture collection of Ivan Napotnik (around 60 works)
• Horticultural collection of Alojz Kojc in the cellar
• Part of the local-history collection of Zvone A. Čebul
• Selection of 23 works from the Napotnik Gallery
• Memorial room of the Mayer family

Permanent exhibitions

• Kiparska zbirka Ivana Napotnika – Around 60 works by the academic sculptor Ivan Napotnik, mostly small wooden sculptures: dancers, mothers with children, nudes, portraits and works with social themes.
• Napotnikova galerija – Selection of 23 works from the art collection of the former school gallery Napotnikova galerija (Napotnik Gallery), which has been a cultural monument of local importance since 2017.
• Hortikulturna zbirka Alojza Kojca – Horticultural legacy with more than one hundred professional books and catalogues, garden and measuring tools and equipment.
• Domoznanska zbirka Zvoneta A. Čebula – Part of a private collection: art-historical objects, archaeological finds, prints, posters and other printed matter.
• Spominska soba družine Mayer – Atmospheric display in the former library, with reproductions of photographs and some old pieces of furniture.

Operated by

Občina Šoštanj

Admission & discounts

An admission fee of €1 applies to adults for viewing the permanent collections without a guide.

Accessibility

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

A page about renting the premises states that access for people with disabilities is provided. Three parking spaces are next to the villa, including one for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

A special price is available for groups with an educational programme.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

There is an information point on the ground floor of the villa. Publications are available in the online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 50 guests.

The premises can be rented for protocol, cultural and other social events. The wedding salon holds up to 50 guests; the villa is an official venue for civil weddings.

Plan your visit