One of Slovenia's most popular museums, the Park of Military History in Pivka is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a major new attraction. Visitors can now climb the cockpit of a MiG-21 fighter jet, don VR goggles, and attempt to land a supersonic aircraft themselves.

The museum, which began as a collection of tanks and artillery in an abandoned military barracks on the outskirts of Pivka, has evolved into the largest museum complex in the country, attracting some 60,000 visitors annually. Its rich collections include various types of tanks, aircraft, and even a submarine and a scale model of a former Yugoslav underground military airbase.

The Thrill of Flying MiG-21

The Soviet-made MiG-21 fighter and interceptor aircraft holds a special place in Slovenia's history, having been used by the Yugoslav army during the ten-day war in 1991 and breaking the sound barrier during Slovenia's declaration of independence ceremony. The museum's new simulator combines original aircraft components with replicas, allowing visitors to experience flying the jet themselves. However, museum officials say that up to 80% of participants crash before landing.

Giant Exhibits

Spanning 3,000 square metres, the museum complex can house large exhibits, including American fighter-bombers, the Romanian IAR-93 Vultur, the Yugoslav SOKO 522 trainer aircraft, and a Soviet-made MIL Mi-8 helicopter. The heaviest exhibit is the 76-tonne German military steam locomotive from the Second World War era, which was part of the war reparations to Yugoslavia and was the last steam locomotive used for regular rail traffic in Slovenia.

Rarely Seen Museum Depot Items

Beyond military hardware, the museum also displays objects linked to Slovenian political and social history. Visitors can see ballot boxes used during Slovenia's 1990 independence referendum and the mould used to cast the country's first coat of arms, which adorns the parliament. The collection also includes items found in mass graves of people killed in Communist reprisals during and after WWII.

Turning Obstacle into Opportunity

The museum site carries deep historical symbolism, as it was from these barracks that Yugoslav army tanks rolled out on 26 June 1991 to suppress Slovenia's independence movement. Initially built by the Kingdom of Italy in the 1930s, the complex later served the Yugoslav army. After the military withdrew, the site fell into disrepair and became a burden for the community.

The idea for the museum emerged from the desire to save both the abandoned complex and the military heritage connected to it. With the help of EU funding, the municipality transformed what had once been considered a development obstacle into a new opportunity, and tourism now thrives in the area.

Anniversary Celebrations Continue

The museum continues to expand and plans to build additional indoor facilities to better protect exhibits from the weather. Visitors can also enjoy upgraded amenities, including a new restaurant wine cellar and ice cream parlour. The anniversary programme includes several events throughout the year, from the international miniature festival The World in Miniature on 23 May to the Living with Nature outdoor festival in early June.