Open air mining museum

The open air mining museum at Baňa Cigel, 5 km south-east of the town of Prievidza opened in 2003 and portrays the history of brown coal mining in the upper Nitra valley in western Slovakia. Some large machines used in the extraction of lignite are displayed, and indoor sections relate some of the many myths that have accumulated over the centuries about elves and other imaginary creatures that were found underground. Visitors can take a train ride with an expert commentary which goes 2312m through the old workings, after which it is possible to venture a further 566 m on foot.