- Address: Muzejska ulica 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Website: nms.si;
- Phone: +386 1 241 44 00;
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00, Thursday from 10:00 to 20:00.
The National Museum of Slovenia is the oldest cultural institution in this country. By age and importance with him can only be compared to the Natural History Museum of Slovenia, which is located in the same building. Tourists who visited this place will be able to get acquainted with a lot of incredibly interesting exhibits.
History of the Museum
Originally, the cultural institution was founded as the "Museum-Estate of Krasna" in 1821. Five years later, on the orders of the Austrian Emperor Franz II, it was renamed the Kraina Provincial Museum. The new name of the museum appeared in 1882 in honor of the Crown Prince Rudolf - "Provincial Museum of Krainy - Rudolfinum".
After the creation of Yugoslavia, the cultural institution was renamed the National Museum. Gradually, some collections were transferred to other museums, for example, ethnographic subjects were transferred to the possession of the new Slovenian Ethnographic Museum in 1923.
Then most of the paintings were transported to the National Gallery . The last to separate was the Slovenian Museum of Natural History, although territorially it is located in the same building. The bulk of the archives is stored in the Gruber Palace, where it was transported in 1953. The last change of name occurred in 1992 with the breakup of Yugoslavia. It remains to this day - "National Museum of Slovenia".
Architecture of the museum
The building, which was allocated for the needs of a cultural institution, was built in the Neo Renaissance style. To its creation attracted the masters of Wilhelm Treo and Ian Vladimir Khrasky. The construction period is two years, from 1883 to 1885. The project, which was followed by the master, was developed by the Viennese architect Wilhelm Rezori.
The building is beautiful not only from the outside, but also inside. The ceiling of one of the halls is decorated with medallions, allegorical paintings. It was inaugurated on December 2, 1888. The uniqueness of the building is that it is the first building in Slovenia, used only for museum needs. In front of the museum there is a monument to one of the famous Slovenes - Janez Vaikard Valvazor.
What is the museum interesting for tourists?
The permanent exposition includes archaeological finds, ancient coins and banknotes, as well as a collection of engravings and drawings. The main building was expanded, adding new sites for the exhibits.
The museum organizes temporary exhibitions devoted to Slovenian applied art, as well as there are storages, demonstration halls. Visitors can see different objects from different eras: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age. Here is stored a unique flute of the Neanderthal from the cave of Divya Babier.
In the department of restoration, employees maintain the exhibits in optimal condition. A special department is allocated for the needs of the library.
Information for tourists
The museum is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. On a group excursion with a guide speaking a foreign language, you need to record at least 5 days. You can take pictures and videos only with the written permission of the administration. The museum does not work only on public holidays, for example, 1-2 January, 25-26 December.
Cost of admission:
- pensioners, schoolchildren, students - 6,4 €;
- a combined ticket for both departments of the National Museum of Slovenia (at Preshernova and Metelkova) - 8.50 €, and for the privileged category of visitors - 6 €.
How to get there?
The institution is located near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tivoli Park . Opposite the location of the national museum stands the opera house of Ljubljana . The museum is in a very convenient place, walking in the center, it can be reached on foot, and from other areas - by bus.