Muzej Apoksiomena

About the museum

The bronze statue of a young athlete who uses a strigil to scrape oil, sweat and sand from his body was found in 1996 by a tourist diver near the small island of Vele Orjule in the Lošinj archipelago, at a depth of about 45 metres. It was raised from the sea on 27 April 1999 and was conserved and restored at the Hrvatski restauratorski zavod (Croatian Conservation Institute) in Zagreb; the work took six years. It is a Greek work from the 2nd or 1st century BC, almost completely preserved – only the little finger of the left hand is missing.

The museum was built solely for this statue. It occupies the former Palača Kvarner on the Lošinj waterfront; the design was by Idis Turato and Saša Randić, and the investors were the Ministry of Culture and the Town of Mali Lošinj. The museum operates as part of the Lošinjski muzej.

The display leads visitors through nine scenes and transition spaces to the last hall, where the statue stands alone. After meeting the Apoksiomen, visitors reach a viewing platform at the top of the building, where the Lošinj harbour is reflected in mirrors on the ceiling.

Highlights

• Bronze statue of the Apoksiomen, a unique find in the Adriatic
• Display of nine scenes leading to the hall with the statue
• The story of the statue’s discovery, recovery and restoration
• Viewing platform with reflections of the Lošinj harbour in ceiling mirrors
• Former Palača Kvarner on the waterfront

Permanent exhibition

• Stalni postav: Apoksiomen – The display of nine scenes traces the story of the bronze statue’s discovery, recovery and restoration, and ends in the hall where the Apoksiomen stands alone.

Operated by

Lošinjski muzej

Admission & discounts

Prices from Easter to 1 November are higher: adults €15. Admission is free for children under 12, pre-school and school groups from Mali Lošinj, tour guides accompanying a group, members of the professional associations Hrvatsko arheološko društvo, Hrvatsko muzejsko društvo and ICOM, students of archaeology and conservation, Croatian veterans, and the children of fallen and missing veterans.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Electric and manual wheelchairs are permitted in the museum, and staff can help wheelchair users (advance notice by e-mail at least two working days ahead). Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum.

Kids & families

There is a family ticket; children under 12 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum can only be reached on foot. From Zagreb to Mali Lošinj the route runs via Rijeka, the island of Krk and Cres (about 257 km in total). On the island of Lošinj two swing bridges open twice a day: in Osor at 9:00 and 17:00, in Privlaka at 9:00 and 18:00. Ferry lines: Rijeka – Cres – Martinšćica – Unije – Susak – Ilovik – Mali Lošinj, and Zadar (Gaženica) – Ist – Olib – Silba – Premuda – Mali Lošinj.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Hire of the multipurpose hall: up to 3 hours during opening hours €265 per day, outside opening hours €400 per day; hire with the museum closed to the public and commercial use €2,000 per day. The museum reserves the right to refuse a request.

Plan your visit