Trbovlje: Mining Heritage, Trails and the Landscape of Kum

In Trbovlje, mining heritage comes to life in museums, on trails through miners’ colonies and at historic memorial sites. Kum Landscape Park and coffee-related experiences are also among the many facets of a stay here. Experiences range from a virtual journey into mine tunnels to hikes and cultural stops.

Explore Mining History

The 4. dritl virtual mining museum presents more than 200 years of mining heritage. Through a virtual reality experience, it takes you virtually into the actual tunnels of the Trbovlje mine; booking is required. You can do more than simply look at authentic mining artefacts: visitors can touch, weigh and explore them hands-on.

The Zasavski muzej Trbovlje offers a tour of an authentic miners’ apartment in a miners’ colony. Prior arrangements may be required. By prior arrangement, the museum can also organise a presentation of other miners’ colonies, with bread ovens and entrances to mine tunnels. The permanent exhibition “Srečno...črne doline” covers ten key themes relating to the development of three places in the Zasavje region over the past 200 years.

Colonies, Trails and Landscape

The longer version of the Ethnological Trail starts in Njiva, passes through six different miners’ colonies and is about 3 km long. There are 16 information panels along the route. A guide for exploring the trail independently is available at the Zasavski muzej Trbovlje; ask about its availability before your visit.

Kum Landscape Park covers the southern part of the municipality of Trbovlje and extends to the 1,220-metre summit of Kum. It is mainly intended for recreation and the conservation of the characteristic landscape; in 2004 it was included in the Natura 2000 network. A hike from the Sava to the summit via Trbovlje and Dobovec takes about three hours. The actual walking time depends on conditions and your pace.

The PD Trbovlje mountaineering club maintains eight mountain trails registered with the Alpine Association of Slovenia. The Trbovlje–Mrzlica–Trbovlje route is signposted for cyclists. Local trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Memorial Sites and Culture

The Trbovlje–Čebine–Sveta Planina–Trbovlje route passes the Barlič farmstead. On the night of 17–18 April 1937, the founding congress of the KPS was held there in secret. The ground floor houses a museum about political events and the situation of the working class between the two world wars. As arrangements for visits may change, check the visiting conditions in advance.

Rudarski dom was built during the miners’ strike of 1923 and burned down on 1 June 1924 during clashes between the workers of Trbovlje and the fascist Orjuna. The newer and considerably larger Delavski dom is a cultural centre next to the former Rudarski dom. The Park of Culture is a newly established interpretation site commemorating Trbovlje’s industrial and cultural heritage.

Monuments also give the town its distinctive character: Rudar Prometej stands on the slope of Ostri vrh and offers views across much of the Trbovlje Valley. The monumental Monument to the Revolution was created by sculptor Stojan Batič and architect Boris Kobe.

Coffee and Getting There

The “Black Gold” experience takes you to a roastery in Trbovlje, where you can learn more about coffee and how to prepare it properly. Details and availability may change; it is advisable to confirm in advance.

Trbovlje railway station is accessible by train from Ljubljana or Zidani Most; regular bus services run through the town from there. Check timetables before travelling. You can rent TRajBi e-bikes at the station to get to the town centre. Availability and rental conditions may change, so check in advance.

Discover more destinations: Trbovlje, Slovenske Konjice, Šentjur Pri Celju, Domžale, Celje, Ptuj, Ravne Na Koroškem, Tolmin.

For the main travel overview: Slovenia.