Arheološki muzej u Splitu

About the museum

The Arheološki muzej u Splitu was founded on 22 August 1820, after Emperor Francis I visited Split and Solin in 1818 and was enthralled by the remains of Diocletian’s Palace and Salona. The museum was first housed in rented storerooms and, from 1836, in a building along the eastern wall of Diocletian’s Palace. Don Frane Bulić, director from 1884, secured a new building, which was built from 1912 to 1914 to designs by August Kirstein and Friedrich Ohmann. Because of the First World War, the museum did not open there until 1922.

From the beginning, the museum’s work focused on ancient Salona. Excavations at Salona began in 1821, and in 1898 Bulić built the Tusculum house at Manastirine, which today is a branch building of the museum with Bulić’s memorial room. Research at Issa and Narona gave rise to branch collections; the Narona collection developed into an independent museum in Vid in 2007.

The permanent exhibition has changed over time: in 1970 the display by Ante Svarčić opened, and the current display, designed by architects Vinko Peračić and Sandra Mateljan, opened on 18 December 2000. The museum also manages the Priručna zbirka collection and the site of Salona in Solin, as well as the Priručna zbirka collection and the site of Issa on Vis.

Highlights

• The oldest museum in Croatia, founded in 1820
• Finds from ancient Salona and other Dalmatian sites
• Building by August Kirstein and Friedrich Ohmann from 1914, with garden and lapidarium
• Branch collection and site of Salona in Solin (Tusculum)
• Guided tours and children’s workshops

Permanent exhibition

• Stalni postav Arheološkog muzeja u Splitu – The permanent exhibition opened in 2000 presents archaeological material from Salona and other Dalmatian sites; the garden with lapidarium displays stone monuments.

Founded

1820

Operated by

Arheološki muzej u Splitu (javna ustanova)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free on Mondays for children, pupils, students and pensioners with a document issued in the Republic of Croatia.

Holders of the Split Card receive a 50% discount on individual tickets. Members of ICOM, ICOMOS and other professional associations, and journalists, enter free of charge with a membership card and prior booking. Discounts cannot be combined.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum offers children’s workshops, a family ticket and rental of the space for children’s birthdays.

Getting there & parking

To reach the Issa branch collection on Vis, take the Jadrolinija catamaran line 9602 or the ferry line 602 from Split; from the Vis harbour to the collection it is about five minutes on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with souvenirs and museum publications; the shops in the branch collections offer the same range.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Rental of the space for weddings (€400 per hour), receptions (€250 per hour) and children’s birthdays (€100 for three hours); information from the secretariat, tel. +385 21 329 349.

Plan your visit