Published: 2025-01-07
On the aptly named Školská Street, there is a beautiful building of the Slovak Museum of Nature Protection and Speleology, which was originally a Jesuit monastery. in addition to the Baroque-Classicist building, you will certainly be attracted by the lookout tower on the roof of the museum, from which you will see both the city and the surrounding mountains.SK, Liptovský Mikuláš – a Visit to the Museum of Nature Protection and Cave Exploration
The beginnings of the museum culture in Liptovský Mikuláš date back to the middle of the 19th century. One of them is the Museum of the Slovak Karst. After several relocations, it found its seat in the building of a former Jesuit, later Franciscan monastery. the building used to serve as a spiritual space, a grammar school, a district court (even with a prison), and finally the collections of the aforementioned Museum of the Slovak Karst found their home here in 1949–1950. This was later changed to the current Slovak Museum of Nature Conservation and Speleology, specializing in top environmental education. Thanks to extensive reconstruction in the years 2011 to 2014, the national cultural monument (since 1963) has become one of the most modern museums in Slovakia.
Upon entering the museum, you will find two fascinating exhibits on four floors. the total exhibition area is up to an incredible 1400 square meters. Gradually, from the basement to the attic, you will learn about the phenomenon of karst in all contexts, something about the history of the building and the institution itself, and finally you will discover the protected nature of Slovakia, which will bring closer the geological and biological diversity of life.
Both exhibitions are very interactive. for example, you can touch selected rocks, listen to the sounds of animals, crawl through narrow "cave" spaces, experience light illusions, feel the underground cold, sit in a Tatra mountain hut or watch movies and various graphics on touch panels. we guarantee that one visit to the museum will definitely not be enough for you!
The museum is also adapted for children and mothers with prams, or people with reduced mobility, it is designed for all ages. the exhibited collections will take you through the world of caves, you will see the equipment and gear of cavers, there are also archeological, geological, paleontological, botanical and zoological collections.
In addition to permanent exhibitions, the museum also hosts seasonal exhibitions, there are various events for the public, conferences, seminars, research, consulting and publishing. Due to current measures, you can also take a tour of the museum virtuallyor with guide applications that serve to get acquainted with various topics and contain additional information (download here).
If you go to Liptovský Mikuláš, visit the museum. you will see that you will like it!
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