The
National Museum of Slovenia is the oldest museum institution in Slovenia. Its
mission is to protect, evaluate, research, interpret, exhibit and present the
national cultural heritage, and to interact with the public. The idea of
founding a national museum goes way back in the past, with the first steps
taken by baron Sigismund Zois von Edelstein and the key figures of
the enlightenment movement. The beginning of the French administration and foundation of the Illyrian
Provinces had somewhat postponed the far-reaching intention. The direct
initiative, however, was given in 1821 by the participants of the famous Congress of Ljubljana, who pointed out that Carniola had no museum of its own.
They had passed the proposal on to the provincial estates (Landstände), who made
a decision on 15 October 1821 to establish a provincial museum. They issued an
announcement emphasising that this cultural institution will collect all
artefacts of the creativity of the nation, history of the region, national
literature, man-made artefacts and the priceless reaches of nature. Already in
the first decade, they received precious gifts – artworks and artefacts from
different donors; among them were the antiques of mayor Hradeczky, the
numismatic collection of Jože Repežič, the ethnographic collection of bishop
Baraga and reverent Knoblehar, the Zois’ mineral collection, Hohenwart's
sea-shell collection and other artefacts. The collection also expanded due to
important and amazing archaeological discoveries – Vače, Ljubljansko barje (Ljubljana Marshes),
Šmarjeta, Mokronog, Drnovo near Krško and many more. The Provincial Museum
initially had its quarters in Pogačnik House in the Salendrova ulica (Salender Street) in
Ljubljana; but already in October 1831, the Museum had its grand opening in the
Lyceum building. There was a breakthrough for the Museum in 1882, when the
Provincial Assembly decided to start construction works for a new museum
building. On 14 July 1883, they laid a corner stone for the modern museum
building.
Today,
as we celebrate the 200th anniversary, we are looking at the past and shaping a
vision of the future. It is the ambition of the Museum employees to connect our
history with the present and the future, and to present it to a broader circle
of enthusiasts by means of modern information technologies, and to follow our
mission nobly and honourably. It is our duty to preserve the historic monuments
for the next generations, and to continue genuine, respectful and direct
dialogue with the public. Let the honourable jubilee be an opportunity for new
directions, ideas, challenges and hope.