Museum of Mining and Metallurgy in Bor | Museums of Serbia

Museum of Mining and Metallurgy is located in Bor and is the only specialized museum of its kind in Serbia. Moreover, it is among the few museums of this type in the world, showcasing the development of mining and metallurgy in our region from prehistory to the present day.

Seven decades ago, the first museum exhibition was opened in Bor, and this cultural center started its work in 1961. Initially, it represented a complex-type National Museum, established by the Bor Municipality Assembly. Knez Miloš' Residence in Brestovačka Banja was joined to the Museum in 1970.

The Museum of Mining and Metallurgy is currently one of the largest tourist attractions in the city of Bor. It received its present name in 1972, thanks to the long tradition of mining and metallurgy in northeastern Serbia.

The rich museum collection contains over 20,000 objects and presents a period spanning more than six millennia. The Museum preserves artifacts dating back to the middle of the fifth millennium BCE. The archival material is categorized into six collections: ethnological, archaeological, artistic, historical, mineralogical, and technical.

"Historical Development of Mining and Metallurgy from Prehistory to the Present" is the name of the permanent exhibition of the Bor Museum, which contains about 1200 objects. It chronologically presents the development of mining and metallurgy in the eastern Serbian region. Among the archival material, prehistoric mining tools, ancient accessories, gold panning dishes, and numerous other exhibits from the Neolithic, Iron Age, Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and recent history are highlighted.

Amphorae, bone and stone tools, pithoi, ancient figurines, jewelry from Krivelj, altars from Zlot Caves and Rudna Glava, medieval jewelry, coins, and ceramics from Lazar's Cave attract the most attention from the public.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the Mining and Metallurgy Equipment Park located next to the museum building stands out. The park showcases exhibits that were once used in the Bor Mining and Smelting Basin. It is a unique open-air museum exhibition featuring over 20 machines and other devices used for ore processing and extraction.

The Museum of Mining and Metallurgy also includes the historical-ethnographic exhibition "Brestovačka Banja during the reign of Knez Miloš," which is located in the prince's residence. This exhibition covers the period from 1837 to the beginning of the 20th century.

Since 1985, the museum has hosted the "Bakar" Art Colony, which features over a hundred copper, bronze, aluminum, and brass sculptures. The sculptures are created in the foundry space , and more than thirty works from this art colony have been installed in Bor and its surroundings.

For mining and metallurgy enthusiasts, the museum is open on weekdays from 7 am to 7:30 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 12:30 pm. The entrance fee is a symbolic 100 dinars.