Hnúšť Mining Museum with the possibility of entering the underground

The history of mineral extraction near the town of Hnúšťa dates back to the times of the Hungarian Kingdom. The northern area of ​​the Rimavská dolina was once rich in the extraction of mineral resources, about which a minimum of information is presented nowadays. They decided to point out this fact and preserve the legacy of mining history in Hnúšt, where they established a new mining museum in the local part of Mútnik.

Today, the city of Hnúšťa presented a project whose goal is to create an attractive tourist product based on the famous mining history of the region. To the industrial and previously active locations of Likier and Maša, another location, Mútnik, was added today, where a new mining museum was ceremonially opened.

It focuses primarily on the history of mining in the Malohont region, specifically on the mining and processing of iron ores, later talc and magnesite. The museum also offers an exhibition of an attractive mineral - pyrite, popularly called cat's gold. Pyrite occurs in the Hnúšte region as an accompanying mineral in talc - magnesite deposits, and it is here that the largest exhibits in the whole of Slovakia were found. The museum exposition has a considerable collection of mining objects, minerals and exhibits referring to the history of the surroundings of the town of Hnúšťa. The overall image of the interior is enriched by the diorama of the entrance to the mining tunnel with a vein of pyrite. Visitors will be guided through history by an interesting documentary film with unique images of underground tunnels. A visit to the museum also includes a short entry into the mine's deep spaces, where visitors walk 600 meters.

In this exceptional project, the self-government of the city of Hnúšťa joined together with the business sector, which is represented by the companies Gemerská nerudá spoločnost, as and SMZ Jelšava, as, and with the civil sector, which is represented by the civic association Horná Rimava. The city of Hnúšťa, which contributed its building to the project, was joined by the state administration and the local government of the higher territorial unit. Financial support for the reconstruction of the building was provided by the Ministry of Investments and Regional Development of the SR, part of the expositions was financially supported by the Bansko Bystrica self-governing region through the contribution of the BBSK Development Agency in the Regional Tourism Organization Gemer. "We have also made a significant leap forward in the field of tourism in Hnúště. An educational trail on Cesta Mária Széchy, a museum of industrial history, a recreation area with a historic stone bridge, we are restoring the historical park and the Petrivaldské villa building were created here. The mining museum with the possibility of entering the underground is already a supra-regional product that can really attract visitors from all over Slovakia. I haven't seen such an important attraction in our district in recent years," says the mayor of Hnúšte, Roman Lebeda, about the activities of Hnúšte in the field of tourism.

Ján Lunter, chairman of the Banská Bystrica self-governing region, added that "the exposition of the newly established museum is very attractively designed. I myself learned a lot of new information thanks to the film that is part of the exhibition. I am sure that this place will become a popular destination for visitors, but especially for school trips from the wider area. We need to show our youth how our ancestors lived and, in particular, how mining and the extraction of mineral resources still give work to the inhabitants of our regions today."

"The Gemer-Malohont region has a rich history of mining and industry, which is commemorated by several important monuments. Their route is mapped by an iron road, offering visitors a several-day journey through our region, and we are extremely happy that Hnúšťa, with its rich mining tradition, has brought a new exposition, completing the story of this part of our history. In addition to the mining museum, however, there are many attractions in Hnúště that create a rich tourist offer for visitors to the city," added Viktor Brádňanský, destination coordinator of OOCR GEMER.

The Mining Museum in Hnúště is located next to the premises of the GENES company, the address is Mútnik – Skálie 1, Hnúšťa. The doors of the museum will be open every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for one input. Entrance to the mine is also possible upon request. Escorted entry to the museum+underground must be ordered 2 days in advance by calling 0907318119 . It is charged in the amount of 4 Euros per person.