The Museum of the City of Šibenik is a museum of a complex type, and consists of an archeological, cultural-historical, a department of recent history and an ethnographic department. There is also a restoration and conservation workshop within the Museum. Its activity is the collection, preservation, processing and presentation of the cultural and historical heritage of the Šibenik region. In its collections, it preserves numerous objects of museum value important for the study of Šibenik's past from the earliest times to the present day.
The Museum of the City of Šibenik was established on December 20,
1925, to commemorate the millennium of the Croatian kingdom. It is
housed in the historic Rector's Palace (also known as the Prince's
Palace), situated adjacent to the renowned Cathedral of St. James in
Šibenik, Croatia. This location not only provides a stunning waterfront
setting but also integrates the museum into the city's medieval fabric,
enhancing its role as a guardian of local heritage.
The Rector's
Palace itself forms a crucial element of Šibenik's coastal
fortifications, constructed primarily between the 13th and 14th
centuries. Today, only two wings of this once-expansive structure
remain, which historically served as the residence for the city prince
(or rector), the highest official representing the Venetian or state
government in Šibenik. The palace's architecture reflects Gothic and
Renaissance influences, with features like stone frames, niches, and
defensive elements that highlight the city's strategic importance along
the Adriatic.
The southern wing stretches along the shoreline from a
square tower to a polygonal one. The prominent square tower, referred to
as the Tower of the Prince's Palace, stands as the largest defensive
structure on this stretch of coast and originates from the 14th century.
Positioned between this tower and the neighboring Bishop's Palace is a
well-preserved 16th-century Renaissance city gate. At the center of the
south wing's ground floor lies a Gothic passage featuring another city
gate, topped by Šibenik's coat of arms depicting St. Michael, the city's
patron saint—a symbol of protection and historical pride.
The western
wing overlooks the sacristy and apse of the Cathedral. Its southern end
includes two doorways with simple stone frames, flanking a niche that
holds a Baroque sculpture of the city prince Nikola Marcello, adding a
touch of artistic flair to the facade.
In 1975, a major renovation of
the Rector's Palace was completed, enabling the museum to operate in a
modern capacity while preserving its historical integrity. As of 2025,
the museum continues to undergo occasional maintenance and specialized
works, which may lead to temporary closures, but it remains accessible
to visitors, typically open from Monday to Friday between 8:00 AM and
3:00 PM.
The museum's holdings are organized into three primary departments:
archaeological (covering prehistory, antiquity, the Middle Ages, and
underwater archaeology), cultural-historical, and recent history. These
encompass a diverse array of collections, including lapidary items
(stone inscriptions and monuments), works by old masters, antique
graphics, weaponry, vintage photographs and postcards, archival
documents, a gallery of fine arts, rare book editions, cartographic
materials, numismatics (coins and medals), jewelry, furniture, ceramics,
everyday objects, liturgical items, and musical instruments. In total,
the museum boasts approximately 150,000 artifacts, making it a
comprehensive repository for exploring Šibenik's multifaceted past from
prehistoric times to the modern era.
The institution has excelled
particularly in archaeological research, exhibition programming, and
scholarly publishing. Teams have investigated numerous sites around
Šibenik and its surrounding aquatorium (coastal waters), uncovering
artifacts that enrich the collections. Over 300 exhibitions have been
mounted to date, many accompanied by detailed catalogs that provide
in-depth insights. Additionally, the museum has produced a wealth of
publications illuminating the history of "Krešimir's town," Šibenik's
affectionate nickname referencing the medieval Croatian king Peter
Krešimir IV, who granted the city its charter in 1066. Notable recent
publications include the 2022 catalog of the cartographic collection,
which showcases historical maps and their significance in understanding
regional development. These efforts not only preserve heritage but also
engage visitors through multimedia displays and thoughtful timelines
that trace the city's evolution.
The Archaeological Department chronicles human history in the Šibenik region from the Paleolithic era through to the Middle Ages, featuring material remains such as prehistoric tools, ancient Roman artifacts, medieval weaponry, and underwater discoveries from shipwrecks and submerged sites. Although initial archaeological work began in the 1950s under Professor Antun Ratković, the department truly flourished starting in 1965 with the leadership of Zlatko Gunjača, who spearheaded intensive fieldwork, publications, and exhibitions. Subsequent contributions from experts like Dr. Zdenko Brusić and Marko Menđušić have further expanded the holdings through excavations, revealing insights into ancient trade routes, settlements, and daily life. Highlights include Neolithic pottery, Roman coins, and medieval sculptures that demonstrate the area's long-standing cultural richness.
Focusing on Šibenik's documented history from its first mention in 1066 up to the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, the Cultural-Historical Department manages the acquisition, analysis, conservation, and display of relevant artifacts. This includes valuable paintings by old masters, historical books and documents, large ceremonial bells, jewelry, furniture, ceramics, and liturgical objects that reflect the city's artistic, economic, and religious development during medieval and early modern periods. The department's museum-gallery activities emphasize interactive presentations, allowing visitors to appreciate how trade, art, and governance shaped Šibenik as the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic coast. Notable items might include Renaissance-era maps from the cartographic collection and sculptures that evoke the city's Venetian influences.
The Department of Culture and History has formed numerous
collections: Gallery, Cartographic, Numismatic, Collection of
archives, Collection of musical instruments, Collection of graphics,
ceramics, lapids, liturgical objects, Collection of jewelry,
furniture, weapons, Collection of everyday objects, Collection of
rare editions of old photographs, Collection of old masters,
textiles, Collection of varia.
The Department also includes a
Restoration Workshop for Painting and Polychrome Sculpture.
The Department of Contemporary
History was established in the summer of 2003, by separating from
the Department of Cultural History. It covers the period from the
fall of Venice in 1797 to the present, which includes the life and
development of the city during the rule of Austrian, French and
Italian rule, the creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and
Slovenes, the First and Second World Wars, the postwar period and
the recent past. Homeland War.
In its activity, as well as
all departments of the Museum, it deals with the collection,
processing, storage and presentation of the collected museum
material. In addition to collecting materials about the city's past,
it also monitors contemporary city events. The department consists
of numerous collections: A collection of documents, posters,
three-dimensional objects, photographs and others. In addition, the
Department has a diatheque, a film library, and a large number of
videos and audio recordings that shed light on numerous events in
the City from the period of the second half of the 20th century. The
department collects new material every day because it monitors and
records daily events in the city.
The ethnographic department deals with the collection, processing
and presentation of the ethnographic heritage of the Šibenik area.
Conservation and restoration workshop for metal, stone,
ceramics, glass and wood