More than 200 years of mining heritage come to life at the virtual mining museum 4. dritl through virtual reality: the experience takes visitors into the actual tunnels of the Trbovlje mine. This virtual experience must be booked. You can also explore authentic mining artefacts that you can not only look at, but also touch, weigh and examine hands-on.
Mining history in the museum and workers’ settlement
The Zasavski muzej Trbovlje also tells the region’s story in a tangible way. The permanent exhibition “Srečno...črne doline” explores ten key themes in the development of the three towns of the Zasavje region over the past 200 years. Another way to learn about the everyday lives of miners is to visit an authentic miners’ apartment in a miners’ colony. Prior arrangements may be required.
By arrangement, the museum can also organise a presentation about other miners’ colonies, including colonies with bread ovens and entrances to mine tunnels. If you would rather explore the settlements on your own, take the long Ethnological Trail: it starts in Njiva, passes through six different colonies and is about 3 kilometres long. Sixteen information boards line the route. A guide for independent visits is available at the Zasavski muzej Trbovlje; it is best to confirm its availability before your visit.
Kum: landscapes and trails
Kum Landscape Park covers the southern part of the municipality of Trbovlje and extends to the 1,220-metre summit of Kum. Its main purposes are recreation and the preservation of the characteristic landscape, and it was included in the Natura 2000 network in 2004. Around Trbovlje, discoveries therefore focus both on a history shaped by mining and on a protected landscape.
The PD Trbovlje Mountaineering Club maintains eight mountain trails registered with the Alpine Association of Slovenia. A hike from the Sava River to the summit of Kum via Trbovlje and Dobovec takes about three hours; the actual walking time may vary depending on conditions and individual pace. The Trbovlje–Mrzlica–Trbovlje route is signposted for cycling. Check the current conditions on your chosen route before setting out.
Memorial sites and culture
Another route links Trbovlje, Čebine, Sveta Planina and Trbovlje. It passes the Barlič farmstead, where the founding congress of the KPS was held in secret on the night of 17–18 April 1937. The ground floor houses a museum about political events and the situation of the working class between the two world wars. As access arrangements may change, it is advisable to confirm them before your visit.
The Park of Culture is an interpretation site commemorating Trbovlje’s industrial and cultural heritage. The miners’ history also includes Rudarski dom: it was built during the 1923 miners’ strike and burned down on 1 June 1924 during clashes between the workers of Trbovlje and the fascist Orjuna. Delavski dom is a newer and considerably larger cultural centre next to the former Rudarski dom.
Among the striking works of art is the Rudar Prometej monument on the slope of Ostri vrh. It offers views across much of the Trbovlje Valley. The monumental Revolution Monument, meanwhile, was created by sculptor Stojan Batič and architect Boris Kobe. Together, these sites showcase different facets of the town’s industrial and cultural history.
Coffee and getting around
“Black Gold” offers a coffee experience that includes a visit to a roastery in Trbovlje, where you can learn more about coffee and how to prepare it properly. Details and availability may change, so confirm the offer in advance.
Trbovlje railway station can be reached by train from the direction of Ljubljana or Zidani Most. Regular buses run from the station through the town; check the timetables before travelling. TRajBi e-bikes can also be rented at the station, providing a way to get to the town centre. Rental availability and conditions may change, so it is advisable to confirm them in advance.
Discover more destinations: Trbovlje, Cerknica, Izola, Ĺ entjur Pri Celju, Nova Gorica, Kamnik, Litija, Ptuj.
View the full travel overview: Slovenia.
