Ironmaking Museum, Swaging Forge

Walk into the blacksmith’s workshop of the former Ravne ironworks and enjoy the history of the steel industry with a centuries-old tradition.In 1994, the oldest preserved buildings at the location of the Ravne ironworks were declared a cultural monument: the swaging forge, the personal (a block of flats used to house workers), and the laboratory. The museum includes preserved devices and machinery (a mechanical hammer – repač, roller stands, crane, locomotive, various types of hammers, electric-arc furnace, etc.), a steam boiler from the brick factory near Ljubljana and a press from 1890 which was used in one of the factories in Maribor. The museum material and its interpretation include different products of ironworks, items from different fields of the life of ironworkers, documents and photographs. (summarised from: kpm.si)

The Mother Factory – the Ravne Ironworks exhibition is set up in the swaging forge of the former Ravne Ironworks and tells a story about a steel company with a centuries-old tradition which bloomed after World War II and with it the town and region as well. Innovation and creativity of its workers made the company one of the best steelworks in the country and one of the first in Europe to introduce computer-controlled production and successfully market stainless steel and various products. Visitors can experience a special place called “When Steel Speaks”, where they can learn about steel as a primary element of the factory and express themselves, their impressions and thoughts by using different artistic ways of expression (sound, symbols, movement, etc.). A special feature of the museum set-up are small magnets with symbols which direct child’s attention and promote sensory observation and symbolic perception. (summarised from: kpm.si)