Dubrovnik Museums

(Dubrovnik, Southern Dalmatia, Croatia)

A visit to the museums in Dubrovnik is a good way to learn about the culture and 2,000-year history of this part of Croatia.

The city has several museums located in monasteries, holding beautiful and historic gold and silver ritual pieces, as well as archives going back many hundreds of years. Archeological digs outside of Dubrovnik have unearthed various prehistoric relics, together with Roman and Byzantine art works and everyday items.

Franciscan Monastery Museum (Muzej Franjevackog Samostana)

Address: Placa 2, Dubrovnik, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 020 321 410
This beautiful 14th-century monastery houses the third-oldest working pharmacy in Europe, established in 1317 and still selling herbal tonics and lotions made following the original recipes. Its lovely Romanesque cloister, tranquil gardens, 15th-century well and Baroque St. Francis's Church combine to make this a must-see.

There are two sections of equal interest in this fine architectural complex, with the first linked to the monastery's famous and ancient working pharmacy. Ceramics, ancient laboratory equipment, old medical books and recipes for timeless remedies are housed in the pharmacy. The cloister museum holds gold and silver religious artefacts, embroideries, a famous library and many old paintings.
Open hours: daily, May to September - 08:00 to 18:00; October to April - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Ethnographic Museum (Etnografski Muzej)

Address: Oda Rupa 3 , Dubrovnik, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 020 323 018
The Etnografski Muzej is housed in an ancient stone-built 'rupe', a grain storage silo set into a rocky hill in 1562, with 15 separate storage chambers holding examples of the life and times of Dubrovnik's peoples throughout the ages. Built to store the grain against attack or famine, the temperature in the vast halls is a steady 17.5°C / 63.5°F. Rural life in Croatia is represented here in fond detail. The Ethnographic Museum opened its doors to the public in 1991 and comes with some 5,000 individual exhibits, while the romantically candlelit halls are often used for events.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Maritime Museum (Pomorski Muzej)

Address: St. John's Fort, Tvdava / Old Pustijerne, Dubrovnik, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 020 323 904
This fascinating glimpse into the city's rich maritime history is located off the south-eastern shoreline, in St. John's Fortress - on the second and third floors. Displays are divided into different sections, being dedicated to the age of steam, navigation and sailing techniques throughout the history of the city, and the Dubrovnik Republic era. There is also a general overview section which deals with the maritime heritage of the wider region.
Open hours: daily, May to September, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 18:00; April to October, 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Cultural Heritage Museum (Kulturne Bastine Muzej)

Address: Knezev Dvor, Pred Dvorom 3, Dubrovnik, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 020 321 422
This museum, situated in the Rector's Palace, is home to many interesting artefacts dating from as far back as prehistoric times through the early days of the city, right up to the 20th century. Collections of coins, stamps, heraldry items and arms tell of the development of the city from medieval days to the 20th century. A bust of a merchant adventurer who bequeathed his fortune to the city is by the famous Italian Renaissance sculptor Pietra Giacometti.
Open hours: daily, May to September, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 19:00; April to October, 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Serbian Orthodox Church and Museum (Musej Pravoslavne Crkve)

Address: Od Puca 8, Dubrovnik, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 020 323 283
Located in between the Pizzeria Baracuda restaurant and the Karaka Irish Pub, the Serbian Orthodox Church and Museum contains an extensive collection of icons (paintings of religious figures). Some of these were created as long ago as the 15th century and originate not only from Croatia, but also from further countries such as Italy, Crete and Russia.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 14:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children