In the middle of the 19th century, a master of many skills, the inventor Janez Puhar, lived in Kranj. He combined his profession as a priest with his innovation activities and he focused his knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry and languages on the then completely new technique of making images with light, now called photography.
As a pioneer of world photography, he made history in 1842 when he invented photography on glass. He perfected his technique to such an extent that it took only fifteen seconds to illuminate the motifs. This allowed him to portray people with great accuracy. He proved his photographic confidence with two self-portraits, showing the world the first real photo selfie.
The memorial house of the first Slovenian photographer Janez Puhar is located in the cultural quarter of Kranj. It is a great experience for visitors of all generations to learn something about the secrets and life of this interesting inventor.
The house has a museum room with descriptions of Puhar’s life and the process of photographing on glass, a room of moving images and illusions, a 19th-century photography studio where you can dress up in the costume of that time and have a photographic portrait of you and your family made on glass that you can take home with you.
The house is a magnet for the eyes, so when you visit it, you should not forget to take a picture of yourself your mobile phone. Bring your selfie stick and get ready for timeless posing! #puhar, #firstselfie
So come and enter the time of the inventor Puhar, the mysterious world of illusions, riddles, photography and selfies.
MUSEUM
The Janez Puhar Museum Room offers an insight into the life and work of the first Slovenian photographer, the inventor of photography on glass and the author of the first real photographic selfie.
ILLUSIONS
When Puhar discovered photography on the glass, he said: “Light painting is an optical illusion captured in eternity.” Check out some interactive optical illusions and moving 19th-century images where the eyes deceive the mind.
PHOTO STUDIO
A 19th century photo studio where you can dress up in the costume of that time, look through the camera obscura and take home your photographic portrait on glass.
EXPERIENCES
The Puhar House delights its visitors with two adventure games. “Puhar’s Secret Laboratory”, which takes you through puzzles and codes all the way to Puhar’s secret – discovery of colour photography, and “Quest for a lost photo”, which is a new interactive way of discovering hidden corners of the town.
The games are intended for children above the age of 10, families and also the elderly, everyone who would like to bring some diversity into their free time. So Puhar’s House hosts birthday parties and private parties for all those who would like to add an adventurous touch to their get-together with friends or colleagues.
Puhar’s Secret Laboratory
Take a fun trip, dressed in authentic clothes like people used to wear them at the time of this inventor and let coded messages help you find a yet undiscovered secret of Puhar. An unforgettable photo-selfie journey through time awaits you. (Duration 60 minutes).
Quest for a lost photo
This is a fun interactive game where you discover hidden corners of Kranj and its history through puzzles and codes. (Duration 90 minutes).
- More info:
+386 31 37 92 37
Tomšičeva 13, 4000 Kranj
- Opening hours:
Monday – Friday from 9 am to 3 pm
Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm
Other hours and days by prior arrangement
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