Introduction
The oldest settlement on the territory of Črnomelj’s old town centre dates back to the late Bronze Age (1200 B.C.) and had continually developed through the Iron Age up to the arrival of Romans, when it was destroyed. During the Ancient Rome period, a small settlement or a country villa arose on the neighbouring Ločki okljuk (Loka loop), which managed to survive until the restless times of the Late Roman period. The town’s natural defences offered shelter and security to the last Roman inhabitants that have managed to build a heavily fortified town with an early Christian church on the area of today’s old town centre in the Late Roman period (4th - 7th century). The town was destroyed in the time of the Avar people and Slovene ancestors’ invasion in the beginning of the 7th century.
The permanent museum exhibition focuses on the history of the city, its surrounding area and the people. Full of archaeological material and archival resources, reflects the past with rich graphics, photographs and reconstructions, describes the past of the city in the heart of Bela Krajina, a country on the border. Get to know the story of Črnomelj at the permanent exhibition Črnomelj in the fork of the millennia.
2nd floor
Room 7, From Illyrian Provinces to Slovenia’s independence, presents the town and its inhabitants, tells a story about their social life in the romantic times of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, and takes us through the death and destruction of the World Wars. The rich photographic material documents and depicts their resistance and courage. It reminds us of the sacrifices made to enable post-war boom and the independence of Slovenia.
1st floor
Room 4, Land acquired by sword, depicts Črnomelj as a borderline town in the restless times of the Middle Ages. It represents the town’s commerce and economy, and the von Tschernembls family. Room 5, Time of the Ottoman sword and religious discord, guides us through the turbulent 16th century and depicts the town’s rights, its ups and downs, and the important role of Črnomelj in the anti-Ottoman defence of Carniola. Room 6, The rest room, shows us the pleasant image of Črnomelj at the end of the 19th century and invites us into modern times.
Ground floor
Room 1, Bela Krajina and its people, takes us through the archaic images of Bela krajina that tell a tale of persistence, dogged determination, fights and joys of the people of Bela krajina. Room 2, From first settlers to Romans, depicts the images of settlements and indigenous inhabitants, the bloody Roman conquest and the formation of the antique centre. Room 3, Late Antique blossom and downfall, tells a tale about commerce, arrival and presence of different beliefs like Mithraism and Christianity in Bela Krajina, and concludes with the destruction of the fortified Late Antique settlement.
Museum events
