Velenje Museum (Muzej Velenje)

The Velenje Museum is housed in Velenje Castle, the hilltop fortress that overlooks the town of Velenje in the Šalek Valley in northern Slovenia. The castle is of medieval origin and was rebuilt as a Renaissance residence in the sixteenth century, with an arcaded courtyard and rooms that still show the style of that period. It is one of the best-preserved castles in this part of the country, and since it is easy to reach from the centre of town, it is the natural first stop for anyone who wants to understand the history and character of Velenje.

Velenje is an unusual town. It grew from a small market settlement into a modern industrial centre in the twentieth century because of the lignite, a type of brown coal, that lies under the valley, and the coal mine shaped everything about the place, from its planned streets and housing to its culture. The story of mining and miners is one of the museum's principal themes, and the castle itself played a part in it, since after the Second World War its rooms were used to house mining families. Today the museum tells the story of the valley, from prehistoric times and the earliest settlements through the Middle Ages to the age of coal and industry.

The permanent exhibitions are varied. They cover local history, the development of the town, the life of the people in the valley and the geology that produced the coal. A highlight is the skeleton of a mastodon, a huge prehistoric relative of the elephant, a reminder of the warm swamps and forests that formed the coal long ago. The museum also holds art collections, including modern Slovenian paintings and sculpture, and a collection of objects from Africa assembled by a collector, giving the visit a surprising international side. Temporary exhibitions change through the year.

The museum has branches elsewhere in the valley. The Museum of the Leather Industry, housed in a former leather works, tells the story of an important local craft, and the Kavčnik Homestead preserves a traditional farm. Nearby in Velenje, the Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia offers a trip underground, and the Sončni Park and other town sights are close by.

The museum suits families, history lovers and anyone interested in industrial heritage, and a visit takes one to two hours. Opening days and ticket prices change from season to season, so check the current details before travelling, and look at the programme of events, which often includes concerts and children's activities.