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Sitarjevec Litija Mine

Experience the richness of minerals and the stories of the miners.

NEW!
It is possible to visit the Export Pit of the mine without prior notice every Saturday at 10:00 AM.
A unique insight into the diversity of geological heritage in the Sitarjevec mine

A unique insight into the diversity of the geological heritage

The Sitarjevec Litija mine is a modern underground museum, that offers its visitors an insight into the diversity of the geological natural heritage, the world of bats, spiders and fungi, into the richness of the mining tradition and the interpretation of its richness through the eyes of artists.

The Sitarjevec mine is one of the polymineral ores with an exceptional mineral diversity. It is one of the richest deposits of minerals on a European and global scale. It contains more than sixty different minerals, the most important ore minerals among them are galena, sphalerite, cinnabar, chalcopyrite and baryte.

The magical world of Litija’s underground

In addition to the picturesque minerals, the visitors can be enchanted by the exceptional limonite dripstones created by the centuries of natural underground processes. Stalagmites, stalactites, stalactite curtains, stalactite spaghetti of the Sitarjevec mine, which grow up to 5 centimetres per year, are extremely unique in Europe. Here is the only known area of growing limonite dripstones in the Central Europe.

The magical world of Litija’s underground has been inspired various artists lately. They can create with pigments obtained on the basis of minerals from the Sitarjevec mine, they are inspired by the period of formation of mine rocks, the exceptional colourfulness of the mine, especially the lustre of Sitarjevec minerals. In the mine visitors can admire fascinating creations of many artists.

Stalactite in the Sitarjevec mine

A wide range of experiences of the Sitarjevec mine

The Sitarjevec Litija mine is a natural science and history classroom in a natural environment. It stirs curiosity and a unique experience, while at the same time awakens awareness and consolidates values about our rich heritage, which is becoming world-famous through stories.

Guided Tours For All

The advantage of the Sitarjevec mine is that everyone can see the underground world – access is easy. You can see the priceless wealth and beauty of the mine at the first 200 meters of the Export pit. A visit can also be an unforgettable experience for the whole family if the dwarf Sitarjevček joins the visit.

For everyone who wants a little more excitement with the initial experience of the underground, we recommend the visit of the Main pit. This part of the mine is also easily accessible. Just 17 meters from the Export pit and you will find yourself in a colourful cave paradise for all curious explorers of natural beauty, not just geologists.

Visits for all

Explore the specifics
of the Sitarjevec mine

A unique insight into the diversity of the geological heritage

The Sitarjevec mine is no longer just a memory of the past times. We preserve it as a precious natural value of national importance and an interesting technical heritage. In its renewed form, it serves a tourist-educational purpose and presents a challenge for the development of innovative research procedures.

DR. Tea Kolar-Jurkovšek - Scientific advisor of the Geological Institute of Slovenia
DR. Tea Kolar-Jurkovšek - Scientific advisor of the Geological Institute of Slovenia

Are you ready to experience the Litija’s unique underground?

Tours are possible from Thursday to Sunday from 9:00 - 12:00 and 15:00 - 18:00

Visits of the mine are only possible by prior arrangement. Group visits are possible even outside business hours

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