Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia

The Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia occupies the Cekin Mansion at Celovška cesta 23, in Tivoli Park on the edge of Ljubljana's centre. The mansion is a Baroque country house dating from the early eighteenth century, later used as a residence and then adapted for museum purposes after the Second World War. The museum was established in the late 1940s and, under its present name, covers the political, social and everyday history of Slovenia in the twentieth century. Its permanent exhibition follows a chronological path through the end of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the creation of the first Yugoslavia, the occupation and resistance of the Second World War, the socialist Yugoslav period and the road to independence in 1991. Displays combine uniforms, posters, documents, photographs, furniture, household goods and recreated interiors, so that political events are set alongside the daily life of ordinary people. The curatorial method is immersive in places, with reconstructed rooms and street scenes that give atmosphere to the narrative, and thematic sections that highlight topics such as work, leisure and propaganda. Texts are provided in Slovenian and English. The Baroque building, with its park setting, has been restored for museum use while retaining historic features, and the surrounding Tivoli Park adds an outdoor layer to the visit. Admission is about EUR 4-5. The museum works as the modern counterpart to the City Museum and National Museum, bringing the story of Slovenia up to the recent past, and it suits visitors who want context for the country's relationship with Yugoslavia and the events of 1991.