Muzej krapinskih neandertalaca

About the museum

The museum was built beside Hušnjakovo hill, where one of the richest Neanderthal sites in Europe was discovered at the end of the 19th century. Excavations from 1899 to 1905 were led by the geologist and palaeontologist Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger. Around nine hundred fossil human bones from several dozen individuals, and thousands of stone tools, were found in the sandstone deposits, and the age of the site is estimated at around 125,000 years. Hušnjakovo was protected in 1961 as the first palaeontological nature monument in Croatia.

The museum is located in a newly built building between the hills of Josipovec and Hušnjakovo. The building has about 1,200 m² on two floors connected by a spiral ramp, and a forest path leads directly from it to the site. The author of the museum and the permanent display is the architect Željko Kovačić, together with the palaeontologist Jakov Radovčić.

The permanent display takes visitors from the beginnings of the universe and the evolution of life, through the geological past of the Earth, to the appearance of the first hominids and Neanderthals. The central part is a reconstruction of the Krapina Stone Age habitat and a presentation of Neanderthal rituals, while a large map also shows Neanderthals from other sites in the world. The display uses multimedia and interactive content.

Highlights

• Hyperrealistic reconstruction of the Stone Age habitat of the Krapina Neanderthals
• The story of the development of life from the beginning of the universe to humankind
• Interactive and multimedia content
• Audio guide in nine languages
• Forest path to the Hušnjakovo site

Permanent exhibition

• Stalni postav Muzeja krapinskih neandertalaca – Multimedia display on the evolution of life, the Neanderthals and the Krapina site, with a reconstruction of the Stone Age habitat and a presentation of Neanderthal rituals.

Founded

1969

Operated by

Muzeji Hrvatskog zagorja

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of the Hrvatsko geološko društvo (Croatian Geological Society), the Hrvatsko muzejsko društvo (Croatian Museum Society) and ICOM, and for residents of the City of Krapina with an ID card. Members of HAK, UHPA and the Savez izviđača Hrvatske (Scout Association of Croatia) receive a 20% discount. Discounts cannot be combined.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

People with disabilities can drive up to the building itself; on arrival, call +385 49 374 951 so that the ramp on the access path can be raised. Moving through the museum is possible with an escort, while the hiking trail to the site is not accessible because of the terrain. The building has two floors connected by a spiral ramp.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum offers a family ticket, interactive content, museum-educational workshops for pre-school and school children, and the one-hour thematic guided tour “Ja sam neandertalac…” (I am a Neanderthal…).

Getting there & parking

Krapina is the seat of Krapina-Zagorje County, about 50 km from Zagreb. The museum is connected directly to the Hušnjakovo site by a forest path.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a souvenir shop and a library.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit