Split, the second largest city in Croatia, has many museums that show the rich history and culture of the region. Here are some of Split’s most famous museums.
Split Archaeological Museum
The Split Archaeological Museum is one of the oldest museums in Croatia and was founded in 1820. The museum’s collection includes ancient Greek, Roman and early Christian artefacts, as well as exhibits from the medieval history of Split and its surroundings. The museum is located in the historical centre of Split, near Diocletian’s Palace.
Day trips from Split: There are many excursions by bus, boat … to islands, national parks, rafting as well as city tours in Split etc.: All bookable on the well-known website Getyourguide.
Museums of Croatian Archaeological Monuments
The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, housed in a former Dominican monastery in Split, focuses on Croatia’s medieval history and culture. The museum’s collection includes a variety of artefacts, including stone carvings, metalwork, pottery and a collection of illuminated manuscripts.
Ethnographic Museum
Split’s Ethnographic Museum is housed in a 16th-century palace in the heart of the city and displays the traditional culture and way of life of the people of the Dalmatian region. The museum’s collection includes traditional clothing, tools and household items, as well as exhibits on music, dance and folk traditions of the region.
Day tours from Split: There are many excursions by bus, boat … to islands, national parks, rafting as well as city tours in Split etc.: All bookable on the well-known website Getyourguide.
Croatian Maritime Museum Split
The Croatian Maritime Museum, housed in the historic Arsenal building in the city’s harbour district, is dedicated to Croatia’s maritime history and culture. The museum’s collection includes a variety of exhibits, including ship models, nautical equipment and maritime arts and crafts.
Ivan Mestrovic Gallery Split
The gallery is located in the house and studio of the well-known Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrović. The Ivan Mestrović Gallery exhibits his most important works and hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
Split City Museum
The Split City Museum is located in Diocletian’s Palace and displays the history and culture of Split and the surrounding area. The museum’s collection includes various artefacts such as weapons, armour and artwork, as well as exhibits relating to the city’s medieval history and its role in the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s.
These museums in Split offer visitors a unique insight into Croatia’s rich history and culture from ancient times to the present. Each museum offers a unique perspective on the history, art and traditions of the region and is well worth a visit for anyone interested in learning more about this country.
Individual museums
Split Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum in Split, Croatia, is one of the most important museums in the country and one of the oldest in Croatia. The museum is located in the historical centre of the city, close to other popular sights such as Diocletian’s Palace and St Duje’s Cathedral.
The Archaeological Museum in Split houses an extensive collection of prehistoric, ancient and medieval artefacts. The collection includes more than 150,000 artefacts, including sandstone, pottery, weapons, jewellery and other items that give an insight into the lives of people who lived in the region over the centuries.
The museum’s exhibitions are arranged chronologically and thematically to help visitors understand the development of civilisation in the region. One of the museum’s strengths is its collection of ancient Greek and Roman artefacts, including sculptures, pottery, coins and other items that illustrate the rich history of the ancient Mediterranean world.
Another highlight of the museum is the collection of early Christian artefacts, including sarcophagi, reliefs and other objects that give an insight into the early Christian communities that lived in the region. Visitors can also admire collections of medieval artefacts such as weapons, armour and pottery.
One of the most important exhibitions at the Split Archaeological Museum is the collection of Roman mosaics, which contains some of the finest examples of Roman mosaics in the world. Mosaics were uncovered in the ancient city of Salona, an important Roman city that flourished in the region in the century BC. In addition to its extensive collection, the Archaeological Museum in Split also offers various educational programmes and workshops for children and adults. The museum staff are knowledgeable and friendly, ready to answer questions and provide information about the exhibitions.
Croatian Maritime Museum (Sea Museum) Split
The Croatian Maritime Museum in Split is located in the historical centre of Split, Croatia. The museum is dedicated to the history and culture of marine life in the Adriatic and is one of Croatia’s most important maritime museums.
The Croatian Maritime Museum in Split displays an extensive collection of the history of marine life in the region from prehistory to the present day. The collection includes ship models, nautical equipment, nautical charts, photographs and other artefacts and gives an insight into the development of maritime culture in the region.
One of the highlights of the Maritime Museum is the ship model collection, which includes models of traditional wooden ships used by fishermen and traders on the Adriatic. The museum also has an extensive collection of ships, including a life-size replica of a 16th century merchant ship.
Another highlight of the museum is the collection of navigational instruments, including compasses, sextants and other instruments used by sailors and mariners throughout the ages. The museum’s map collection is also impressive. It includes maps from the Middle Ages to the present day and shows the development of cartography and navigation.
The Croatian Maritime Museum in Split also has a collection of photographs and other archival materials documenting the history of sea life in the region. The museum staff are knowledgeable and friendly and are available to answer questions and provide information about the exhibitions. In addition to its collections, the Croatian Maritime Museum in Split also offers various educational programmes and workshops for children and adults, as well as guided tours and lectures for visitors. The museum is a popular attraction in Split and visitors can expect long queues during high season.
Ivan Mestrovic Gallery Split
The Ivan Mestrovic Gallery is a museum dedicated to the work of the Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. The museum is located in Split, Croatia, in a beautiful villa designed by Mestrovic himself.
The gallery houses a large collection of sculptures, drawings and other works of art by Mestrovic. Mestrovic is one of the most important Croatian artists of the 20th century and his works are known for their powerful and emotional style.
One of the highlights of the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery is the collection of monumental sculptures by Mestrovic, including several large bronze and stone sculptures, which are displayed in the museum’s courtyard. Visitors can also admire a small collection of sculptures and drawings by Mestrovic, as well as some of his personal objects and documents.
In addition to the permanent collection, the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery hosts special exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. The museum staff are competent and friendly, ready to answer questions and provide information about the exhibitions.
Split City Museum
The Split City Museum is located in the historical centre of Split, Croatia, and is dedicated to the preservation of the city’s cultural heritage and history. The museum is located in a beautifully restored 15th century palace.
The Split City Museum features numerous exhibitions highlighting the city’s rich cultural history, from its ancient Roman roots to its recent history as a bustling port city. The collection includes artefacts, documents, photographs and other materials that give an insight into the everyday life of the people who have lived in Split over the centuries.
One of the highlights of the museum is its collection of Roman antiquities, including mosaics, statues and other objects found in the ancient city of Salona, just outside Split. The museum also has a collection of medieval artefacts such as coins, pottery and weapons, as well as a collection of paintings and other works of art.
Another interesting feature of the Split City Museum is the exhibition on the history of the famous Diocletian’s Palace in Split. The displays include models, maps and other materials illustrating the construction and development of the palace over the centuries, as well as its importance to the city of Split.
The museum also has an extensive collection of documents and photographs illustrating the history of the city in the 20th century, particularly the socialist era of Yugoslavia and the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s. These materials provide an interesting insight into the recent history of the city and its inhabitants. The Split City Museum hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including exhibitions, concerts and lectures. The museum staff are knowledgeable and friendly, ready to answer questions and provide information about the exhibitions.