Surrounded by scenic mountain peaks and national parks of Croatia, shines the true gem of the country, the ancient port city of Split, one of the tourist haunts on the Adriatic coast. Its rich history goes back to the times of the Roman Empire. Split has inherited many ancient treasures, crowned by the ancient Diocletian’s Palace, the residence of the Roman emperor, from those times. The mighty palatial complex of the 3rd to 4th centuries AD has been perfectly preserved to this day. Several city museums have placed their collections within its strong walls.

The Split Ethnographic Museum, founded in 1910, is a small but content-wise impressive museum. It became the country’s first heritage museum and is one of the most popular tourist landmarks in the area.

The museum is located in the building of the former Town Hall. It was erected within the palatial premises in the mid-15th century, on the site of the emperor’s chambers, the “cubicula” (the Roman name for the “bedroom”). Even the Gothic Town Hall building deserves the undivided attention of the guests of the city, not to mention the extensive museum collection, counting more than 20,000 unique exhibits from various historical periods. The permanent exhibition of the Split Ethnographic Museum showcases an incredible array of handmade antique furniture, a collection of traditional costumes of Split citizens from the Early Middle Ages to the present, and every possible household item. Here, you can study the folk crafts of the locals, their traditions, and their culture. Of particular note are stunning assortments of ancient weapons, musical instruments, and, of course, exquisite jewelry, which the women of the tour group will undoubtedly appreciate.

The Split City Museum neighbors the Ethnographic Museum within the premises of the emperor’s palace. It is also a must see for all travelers. Its collections of artifacts and historical documents perfectly complement the Ethnographic Museum exhibits, painting a unified picture of the history and culture of the ancient city of Split.