The Archaeological Museum in Split (Arheološki muzej u Splitu), located at Zrinsko-Frankopanska 25, is Croatia’s oldest museum, established in 1820 by a decree of the Dalmatian government in Zadar. Situated a 10-minute walk north of Split’s city center, it houses an extensive collection of approximately 150,000 artifacts from prehistoric times to the early Middle Ages, with a focus on the Roman city of Salona (modern Solin), Split, and nearby sites like Issa (Vis) and Narona (Vid). The museum, designed by Viennese architects August Kirstein and Friedrich Ohmann and opened in 1914, is a late historicist building with Viennese Secession elements, considered part of Croatia’s cultural heritage. Its serene garden, cloister, and exhibition halls make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts exploring Dalmatia’s past.
Building Design: The two-story museum, constructed in 1914, features
a harmonious blend of late historicist architecture with Viennese
Secession influences. The exterior is elegant yet understated,
surrounded by large trees and a walled garden that creates a tranquil
oasis. The ground floor hosts exhibition halls, while the upper floor
contains a library and study rooms.
Outdoor Courtyard: The museum’s
cloister-like garden is a highlight, displaying large stone artifacts,
including Roman sarcophagi, statues, and inscriptions from Salona and
Diocletian’s Palace. This outdoor space, shaded and relaxing, is often
praised as the museum’s most captivating feature, with artifacts
arranged along the walls.
Interior Layout: The indoor galleries are
compact but well-organized, showcasing smaller items like pottery,
glassware, coins, and jewelry. The exhibitions are divided into thematic
collections, with clear signage in Croatian and English, making the
displays accessible to international visitors.
Founding and Development: The museum’s establishment followed Emperor
Francis I’s 1818 visit to Split and Salona, which highlighted the
region’s archaeological importance. Early collections began in the 16th
century with humanists Dominik Papalić and Marko Marulić, who gathered
Salona’s stone inscriptions. Frane Bulić, director from 1884 to 1926,
was pivotal in expanding the museum and researching Salona, earning it a
golden age of archaeological discovery.
Collections: The museum’s
150,000 artifacts are organized into several collections:
Prehistoric: Tools and artifacts from the Palaeolithic to Iron Age.
Greek-Hellenistic: Pottery from Issa (Vis) and other Adriatic colonies.
Roman-Provincial: Mosaics, glassware, lamps, and stone inscriptions from
Salona, including sarcophagi and a possible fragment of Diocletian’s
porphyry sarcophagus.
Early Christian and Medieval: Grave goods,
jewelry, and coins from Salona’s Christian cemeteries and Croatian
rulers’ era.
Underwater Archaeology: Amphoras and shipwreck finds
from Dalmatia’s coast.
Numismatic and Epigraphic: Over 70,000 coins
and extensive stone inscriptions.
Research and Publications: The
museum conducts ongoing excavations at Salona and Issa, with regional
centers in Solin (Tusculum) and Vis. Since 1878, it has published the
Bullettino di archeologia e storia dalmata, a leading archaeological
journal. Its library and archives are valuable resources for scholars.
Cultural Role: The museum offers workshops, educational programs, and
temporary exhibitions, enriching Split’s cultural scene. It complements
visits to Salona’s ruins, Diocletian’s Palace, and other local sites,
providing context for Dalmatia’s Roman and early medieval heritage.
The Archaeological Museum in Split (Arheološki muzej u Splitu) is the
oldest museum institution in Croatia, founded in 1820 by a decree of the
Dalmatian government in Zadar. Its origins date back even further, to
the 16th century when humanist Dominik Papalić assembled a collection of
ancient inscriptions from the ruins of Salona (ancient Solin), which he
and poet Marko Marulić documented. The museum's current neo-Romanesque
building, designed by architects August Kirstein and Friedrich Ohmann,
was constructed between 1912 and 1914 and opened to the public in 1922
after delays due to World War I. Located at Zrinsko-Frankopanska 25 in
Split, it features exhibition halls on the ground floor, a library and
study rooms upstairs, a lapidarium in arcades and courtyard, and an
attached garden. The museum also oversees branches in Solin (for Salona
and Tusculum), Vid near Metković (Narona Collection), and on the island
of Vis, while conducting ongoing archaeological research at sites like
Salona, Issa, and Narona. It publishes the journal Vjesnik za
arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku (formerly Bullettino di archeologia
e storia dalmata) since 1878.
The museum's collections total around
150,000 artifacts, spanning from prehistoric times through the Greek
colonization of the Adriatic, the Roman Provincial and Early Christian
eras, to the early Middle Ages and the period of Croatian rulers. These
are drawn primarily from Central Dalmatia, especially Split and the
ancient city of Salona, with additional finds from islands like Vis and
Hvar, coastal sites, and the hinterland. The permanent display is
arranged in the front yard, veranda, atrium, corridor, and exhibition
halls, emphasizing the region's authentic history through material
remains. Artifacts are organized chronologically and thematically, with
prehistoric items in a small hall and materials from the Greek to
medieval periods in a large hall. The lapidarium showcases stone
monuments from Greek, Roman, medieval, and early modern periods. The
museum also holds an extensive library, archive, and over 70,000 ancient
and medieval coins. Key collections include Prehistoric,
Greek-Hellenistic, Roman Provincial, Late Antiquity, Medieval
(incorporating Old Croatian), Epigraphic, Numismatic, Underwater
Archaeology, and Early Christian (often overlapping with Late
Antiquity).
Prehistoric Collection
This collection covers the
Palaeolithic to the early Common Era (around 45,000 BC to the 1st
century AD), focusing on Central Dalmatia from Nin to Metković,
including islands like Vis and Palagruža, and extending into Bosnia and
Herzegovina. It includes over 1,900 items on display, made from ceramic,
stone, flint, copper, bronze, iron, bone, shells, glass, and wood.
Artifacts reflect technological shifts, from hunter-gatherer tools to
agricultural implements, and are sourced from caves, settlements,
hillforts, and tumuli through excavations and purchases.
Palaeolithic (45,000–10,000 BC): Features Middle Palaeolithic Mousterian
tools (e.g., stone axes, flint scrapers) from Mujina Cave near Trogir;
Late Palaeolithic Gravettian and Epigravettian bone and flint items from
Kopačina Cave on Brač and Brina Cave near Drniš.
Neolithic (6000–4000
BC): Marks the advent of agriculture and pottery, with impressed ware
from Markova Cave on Hvar; Danilo culture rhytons and pots from Danilo
near Šibenik; Hvar-Lisičići culture vessels from Grapčeva Cave.
Eneolithic (Copper Age, 4000–2500 BC): Introduces copper tools, with
hoards like axes and wedges from Gripe in Split.
Bronze Age (2500–800
BC): Includes Cetina culture urns from stone mounds along the Cetina
River; Posušje culture axes and daggers; Late Bronze Age swords,
fibulae, and helmets from sites like Dugiš and Rat hillfort on Brač.
Iron Age (800 BC–1st century AD): Encompasses Delmatae ethnic group
items, such as Golinjevo fibulae, necklaces with glass beads from Vičja
Luka on Brač, and metal belt components from Asseria.
Notable
artifacts include the Middle Neolithic rhyton from Danilo (ca. 5500–4800
BC, ceramic, 22 cm high, used in rituals); the Eneolithic hoard from
Gripe (axes and wires in a vessel); the Late Bronze Age violin fibula
from Salona (8.65 cm, engraved bronze); and the Iron Age spiral
spectacle fibula from Čorković Pećin (14.8 cm, with concentric circles).
Greek-Hellenistic Collection
Comprising over 5,200 items from the
6th to 1st centuries BC, this is the oldest and largest assemblage of
Greek artifacts found in Dalmatia, representing Archaic, Classical, and
Hellenistic phases. Sourced from islands like Vis (ancient Issa) and
Hvar (Pharos), coastal sites like Solin (Salona), and Vid (Narona),
items include ceramics, stone monuments, metal jewelry, terracotta
statues, and glass. Most come from necropolises like Martvilo in Vis,
reflecting Greek colonization, trade, and cultural adaptation.
Types
include painted vases (Black and Red Figure ware), amphorae, pyxides,
oenochoai, gravestones, inscriptions, reliefs, gold bracelets, lead
weights, and terracottas. Notable examples: the Timasion family
gravestone (2nd–1st century BC, limestone stele from Vis); Caesar's
rescript inscription (56 BC, from Solin); relief with dancers (2nd–1st
century BC, marble from Narona); Kallias hero gravestone (4th century
BC, with verse inscription from Vis); Eros and Psyche terracotta
(3rd–2nd century BC, from Vis); Corinthian pyxis (6th century BC,
animal-decorated from Solin); gold bracelet (6th–4th century BC,
lion-head ends from Solin); and Gnathian oenochoe (4th–3rd century BC,
motif-rich from Vis).
Roman Provincial Collection
With over
17,000 artifacts from the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD, this
collection illustrates Romanization in Dalmatia after conquests from 156
BC, focusing on sites like Salona, Narona, Asseria, and Issa. It covers
the Pax Romana under emperors like Augustus and Trajan, up to
Diocletian. Artifacts include stone monuments, sculptures, mosaics,
military equipment, tools, cosmetics, religious items, household goods,
glassware, ceramics, and sarcophagi.
Displayed items (about 1,600)
highlight daily life, worship, and death. Notable: Bust of Emperor
Trajan (2nd century AD, marble, 47 cm from Issa); Calydonian boar hunt
sarcophagus (240–250 AD, 198 cm from Spalatum); spouses' sarcophagus
(3rd century AD, 225 cm from Salona, with unlooted goods); Minerva
statue (1st century AD, 171 cm from Salona); Diocletian's daughter bust
fragment (3rd–4th century AD, 27.5 cm from Salona); glass-blower's
furnace oil-lamp (1st century AD, ceramic from Asseria); mosaic
balsamarium (1st century AD, 6 cm from Salona); grape-cluster
balsamarium (1st century AD, 7.6 cm from Spalatum); Triton mosaic (3rd
century AD, 10 m² from Salona villa); and tropaion fragment (1st century
AD, 104 cm from Tilurium).
Late Antiquity Collection
Spanning
the 4th to mid-6th centuries AD, this focuses on Salona as a hub during
Roman Empire crises, with artifacts from Salona, Split, hinterland, and
islands. It includes stone monuments, marble church furnishings,
household pottery, glassware, oil lamps, liturgical items, jewelry, and
fibulae, made from marble, limestone, ceramic, bone, silver, bronze, and
glass.
Artifacts served architectural, religious, military, and daily
purposes. Notable: Good Shepherd sarcophagus (310–330 AD, 266 cm from
Manastirine); Israelites crossing Red Sea sarcophagus (4th century, 220
cm from Split); Salona personification relief (4th century, 102 cm from
city gate); baptistery capital (6th century, 47 cm from Salona);
Egyptian sphinx (1400 BC reused 3rd–4th century, 151 cm from
Diocletian's Palace); multi-nozzle oil lamp (4th century, ceramic from
Salona); fish-motif oil lamp (4th–5th century from Salona); bronze
censer (6th century from Klis); Christ and Apostles comb fragment (5th
century, bone from Salona); and lioness fibula (6th century, silver from
Trstenik).
Medieval Collection (Including Old Croatian)
Covering the late 4th to 12th centuries, this documents migrations,
Ostrogothic rule (late 5th–537 AD), Avar-Slavic invasions, Croat arrival
in the 7th century, Byzantine and Frankish influences, and the formation
of the Croatian state. Artifacts include grave jewelry (earrings, rings,
necklaces, buckles), military gear (Frankish swords, spearheads), and
Early Croatian braidwork sculptures for churches.
Notable: Altar
screen pediment fragment with Croatian ruler Trpimir's name (9th
century, key to Croatian state history).
Epigraphic Collection
Integrated into the lapidarium, this features stone inscriptions from
Salona and other sites, spanning Greek, Roman, and medieval periods. It
includes funerary steles, public decrees, dedicatory texts, and
architectural fragments, providing insights into social, political, and
religious life.
Other Specialized Collections
Numismatic: Over
70,000 ancient and medieval coins from Greek, Roman, and Croatian
periods, illustrating economic history.
Underwater Archaeology:
Artifacts from Adriatic Sea finds, including shipwrecks and submerged
sites.
Early Christian: Overlaps with Late Antiquity, focusing on
Christian archaeology in Dalmatia, with items like liturgical tools and
sarcophagi used for relics.
The museum is located just outside Split’s bustling Old Town, near the National Theater and a short walk from the Riva waterfront and Diocletian’s Palace. Its tree-lined setting and quiet garden offer a peaceful contrast to the crowded Peristyle, with visitors often noting the museum’s uncrowded, contemplative atmosphere. The surrounding neighborhood is residential, with easy access to cafés and public transport, including buses from Trogir (30 minutes away). The museum’s proximity to Salona (5 km northeast) makes it an ideal stop for those exploring Roman ruins.
Accessibility: Open Monday–Saturday, 9:00–14:00 and 15:00–20:00
(June–September); closed Sundays. Admission is €8 for adults, €4 for
children, students, and disabled persons, with a combo ticket for Salona
at €10. Free entry for pensioners and disabled visitors on Mondays, and
for members of ICOM, ICOMOS, and similar organizations. A 50% discount
card is available at Split’s tourist information centers. Guided tours
cost €40–60 per group.
Experience: Visitors praise the museum’s
outdoor courtyard for its Roman sarcophagi and mosaics, with the
3rd-century Salona mosaic and family headstones being highlights. The
indoor exhibits, while smaller, impress with items like glass lamps,
amber jewelry, and a rare glass boat for the afterlife. Some find the
collection niche, focusing heavily on Salona, and a few note pricing
inconsistencies or outdated displays, but most recommend it for
archaeology buffs. The museum’s virtual tour and social media, including
a playful Instagram account featuring its resident cat, Muse, enhance
engagement.
Nearby Attractions: Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO site,
is a 10-minute walk south, with its cathedral and peristyle. The Split
City Museum in the Papalić Palace and the Ethnographic Museum are
nearby. Salona’s ruins, Klis Fortress, and the Meštrović Gallery are
short drives or bus rides away, complementing the museum’s exhibits.
The Archaeological Museum excels in preserving Dalmatia’s ancient heritage, particularly Salona’s Roman legacy, but its heavy focus on one site may limit its appeal for those seeking broader narratives. The outdoor courtyard overshadows the indoor galleries, which some visitors find modest or dated, suggesting a need for modernized curation. Its establishment under Habsburg and Venetian influences reflects colonial efforts to catalog Dalmatia’s past, potentially sidelining local Croatian agency—a nuance rarely explored in public narratives. Pricing critiques and occasional closure between 14:00–16:00 can frustrate visitors, but the museum’s research contributions and uncrowded setting are undeniable strengths. The reliance on Salona artifacts, while logical, underscores the need for more diverse temporary exhibitions to highlight lesser-known sites.