The Museum of Recent History Celje (MNZC) seeks to preserve and explore the rich cultural heritage of the region from the beginning of the 20th century onwards. This institution subscribes to a proud and strategic approach, which makes perfect sense within the context of it’s evolution - initially the department of the National Liberation Struggle, over the last 60 years it has grown and evolved, formally renamed the Celje Museum of Recent History in 1991 (the year Slovenia was granted independence). Here varied and immersive exhibits present the history and ethnology of the region. Successfully engaging swathes of the public, especially younger visitors with versatile activities that bring the collections to life. The permanent collection is complimented by seasonal temporary exhibitions. Accessible to all and centrally loacated within the town, it also serves as a well respected centre of scientific research and educational institution.

Celje sits at the confluence of four major Slovenian rivers, at the intersection of two valleys; Central Sava and Savinja and in the shadow of what was once Slovenia’s largest fortification - the Celje Castle which occupies three hilltops SE of the town. MCZN focuses on recent history in a region synonymous with ancient history - Celje can trace settlements back to the Hallstatt era (c. 800BC - c 500BC) and was a flourishing Roman colony - the temple to Mars built here was famous throughout the Empire.

PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS

Living in Celje

‘Living in Celje’ is a unique tribute to the city. The ‘Journal of three generations’ is exhibited on the first floor, visitors can follow the chronological overview of the history of Celje through these personal accounts. On the second floor the ‘Tradesman’s Street’ is reconstructed where you can walk through shops, the market and a middle-class apartment, brought to life by daily workshops. A didactical approach aims to educates younger visitors.

The Dentistry Collection

This is Franc Štofla’s jaw-dropping collection of old instruments and equipment. A dentist from Celje he amassed this collection over several decades before gifting it to MCZN in 1991, for which he was awarded the prestigious Valvasor prize of the Slovenian Museum Association in 1997.  

Stari pisker: "The Old Pot"

When the building of the former Minorite monastery was reshaped into a penitentiary, it was given the name 'The Old Pot'. In the historical memory of Slovenians, and especially people from Celje and its surroundings, this building is closely connected to the darkest period of our not so distant past; in its yard, the Nazis shot 374 hostages in six out-of-court executions in the years 1941 and 1942. Today this part of the Old Pot – the yard and the memorial room – forms a renovated unit of our museum, a memorial place for victims of Nazism.

The MNZC has two other museums: The Children's Museum and the Photographic Studio of Josip Pelikan.

Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje (MNZC) 

Prešernova ulica 17, 3000, Celje

Opening Times

Tuesday-Friday: 9:00-17:00
Saturday: 9:00-13:00
Sunday and holidays: 14:00-18:00

The Old Pot

Prešernova ulica 20

Opening Times

Tuesday−Saturday, 9.00-13.00 (Advance notification necessary)