The Bela Krajina Museum, located in Metlika Castle, opened its doors in 1951. The biggest museum in Bela Krajina, with rich permanent exhibitions will captivate you. From the Paleolithic archeological site in “Judovska Hiša”, to everyday items from the 20th century. And the best part is, you can bring along your beloved pet to the museum.

The introduction to the permanent exhibition starts with a 15-minute film about Bela Krajina. Bela Krajina is unique both from a geographical and an ethnic, cultural, and historical perspective. Identifying all of its inhabitants precisely remains uncertain; however, the oldest preserved artifacts used by inhabitants date back to the period of the Neolithic period. From the Neolithic period to Late Antiquity, different people lived here, leaving traces that are now on display in the archaeological collection of the Bela Krajina Museum.

The cultural and historical collection showcases the history of Bela Krajina from the founding of towns in the 14th century up to the period of the Illyrian Provinces. Especially difficult were the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1408, near Metlika, the Ottomans first crossed into the territory of Carniola (Kranjska). In the next 170 years, they often pillaged, burnt, and murdered across Bela Krajina. In the 16th century, a defensive system called the Military Frontier was established along the border to defend the region from Ottoman incursions. It was inhabited by the Uskoks, Serbs, and Croats who had fled from the Ottomans.

The ethnology collection displays the majority of the items and other materials associated with the inhabitants of Bela Krajina. The name "Beli Kranjci" emerged in the first half of the 19th century due to the traditional white attire made from linen that was worn at that time. The inhabitants of the southeastern part of the former region of Carniola (Kranjska) used this name for the whole region. The display serves as a tribute to the memory of real individuals who are represented in the exhibition through their belongings, photographs, documents, and voice recordings. It serves as a tribute to all those, who despite facing poverty all their lives, still sang, wove beautiful towels, and created even more beautiful Easter Eggs. To citizens, who were lagging in terms of material wealth to other citizens in bigger cities. When they established the first societies in the Dolenjska region and Slovenia, they outperformed them in terms of spiritual wealth.

If you hike in Bela Krajina, we guarantee that Metlika offers more than just the Bela Krajina Museum. Under the old town, on the main road, the Kambič Gallery is open for you.
Discover the surrounding villages with their wine-growing hills, and stop by one of the renowned wine growers.
Are you interested in more history and culture of Bela Krajina? The Črnomelj Town Museum, the Semič Museum House, and the Oton Župančič Memorial House await your visit.

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Bela Krajina Museum
Trg svobode 4, SI 8330 Metlika

Bela krajina Museum, Metlika