Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia

Muzej premogovništva Slovenije

The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia is situated in the formerly active part of the Velenje Coal Mine – the Škale Pit. It consists of original premises out on the surface (wardrobes, bathroom, “prezivnica”) and two underground complexes. A 120-year-old mining shaft takes us 160 meters below the surface. With the help of a guide, a multivision and installations with full-sized miner puppets we learn how work was carried out in the coalmines.

At the beginning of the tour we are greeted by St. Barbara, the patroness of miners, who has a small chapel here, then we get a bite of the miner’s breakfast in the deepest canteen in Slovenia, and finish the tour with the ride on the underground train. The tour of the museum is also possible for people in wheelchairs.

Exhibition in the outer part of the museum presents a typical miner’s lodging from the first part of the 20th century, the traditional reception of a novice miner with jumping over the skin, and the history of Slovenian coal mines. The black dressing room hosts temporary exhibitions, and the museum shop offers souvenirs related to the coal mining and the Šaleška dolina Valley.