Split’s Archeological Museum celebrates 200-year anniversary

It is the oldest museum institution in Southeastern Europe

The 22^nd of August is a very special day not only for the city of Split but for the entirety of Croatia and its archaeological and museum community. It is on that date in 1820 that Split’s Archeological Museum was founded, becoming the first museum institution in the entire region of Southeastern Europe.

An institution with history

The Split Archeological Museum, currently found on Zrinjsko-Frankopanska 25, was first established in an old building on the eastern edge of the wall of Diocletian’s Palace. It was housed in that edifice up until 1868, however, after which it was relocated to its present-day location. Of the building, unfortunately, nothing remains standing.

The relocation though did not mean a drop in quality, rather its excellent positioning has allowed the Archaeological Museum to benefit from an amazing amount of sites in the nearby regions, amassing an excellent collection that is the envy of many other similar institutions.

The Museum’s present-day building was built just prior to World War 1 with construction starting in March 1912. The project was developed by Austrian architects who put the finishing touches and unveiled it to the public in June of 1914. The edifice was once again expanded in the 1960s when the ambitions of its curators and the city exceeded the grounds prepared nearly 50 years ago.

Another curious tidbit about the Museum is the fact that up until 1910, when the Split Ethnographic Museum was built, it was the only gallery in the entire city. Thus, it now houses many memories and items that in different circumstances might have been located at another location.

To commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the Split Archaeological Museum, the Croatian Post has also launched its special campaign – namely, a stamp celebrating the institution’s birthday. The stamp has been in circulation since 17 August and features a depiction of the sarcophagus of the Good Shepard, an artifact dating back to the 4^th century AD.