Knin Museum Today
The Knin Museum, located in the southern part of the fortress at the Belvedere station, was restored and reopened in 1996 after suffering devastation during the Homeland War. It houses archaeological, ethnographic, and geological-paleontological collections across three buildings.
The geological collection features samples and fossils from the Knin area, the archaeological collection presents artifacts from prehistory to the modern era, while the ethnographic collection displays furniture, folk costumes, and traditional crafts from the Dalmatian Hinterland and Bukovica dating to the 19th and 20th centuries. A planned cultural-historical exhibition will further illustrate daily life in Knin from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century, showcasing old weapons, decorative arts, technical devices, graphics, maps, postcards, and archival documents.
The Museum also manages the fortress’s lower town with its Venetian cavalry barracks, as well as the archaeological zone on Mount Spas, where a late antique settlement and an early Croatian cemetery were discovered. Today, the museum employs 17 staff members, with exhibitions held year-round in the Church of St. Barbara and the Museum Gallery.
Knin Museum – A Brief History
The Knin area has a rich museum tradition. The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, founded by Fr. Lujo Marun in 1893, focused on archaeological research and is today one of Croatia’s national specialized museums.
The Knin Museum was established after World War II by local enthusiasts dedicated to preserving Knin’s cultural and historical heritage. In 1969, the Regional Museum of the Knin Region officially opened, housed in the restored Knin Fortress. Despite political challenges in the 1970s and wartime disruptions, the museum preserved and expanded its collections of archaeological, ethnographic, cultural, and natural heritage.
After the Homeland War, the City of Knin assumed responsibility, renaming it the Knin Museum in 1997. Today, it continues to safeguard and present the region’s heritage, with over 50 years of continuous activity.
Knin Museum – Historical Overview
The wider Knin area has given rise to two notable museums. The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, founded by Fr. Lujo Marun in 1893, focused on archaeological research and is today a national specialized museum.
The Knin Museum was established after World War II by local enthusiasts dedicated to preserving Knin Fortress and regional heritage. In 1969, the Regional Museum of the Knin Region officially opened, following decades of restoration work led by the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural and Historical Monuments. The museum developed collections in archaeology, ethnography, cultural history, and natural sciences, safeguarding both the fortress core and surrounding areas, including the Spas archaeological site.
After the Homeland War, the City of Knin assumed founding rights in 1997, renaming it the Knin Museum. Since then, it has continued to restore its collections and facilities, preserving over 50 years of cultural and historical legacy.
Touristic Valorization of Knin Fortress as a Cultural-Historical Complex
Fortress Complex Enhancement:
- Restoration and presentation of Kaštel-Knin (northern part), illustrating the era of King Dmitar Zvonimir.
- Upgrading open areas with terraces, viewpoints, and resting zones.
- Renovation of the central square with a new stage, souvenir shop, and spaces promoting local crafts and products.
- Restoration of Loredan Gate, nearby parking, and the Podgrađe archaeological park.
- Installation of new lighting, landscaping of Bandjera area with a monument to the first president, Franjo Tuđman.
- Structural rehabilitation of ruined fortress buildings for new purposes and overall fortification repairs.
Expansion of Knin Museum Activities:
- New museum-gallery exhibition at Belveder.
- Memorial room for General Ante Gotovina.
- Redesign of memorial rooms for Academician Hrvoje Požar and humanist Nikica Slavić, marking Požar’s centenary.
- Memorial exhibitions for notable citizens of Knin, including Krvavica, Ikica, Živković, Paić, and Jelovina.
More information about the museum and visiting hours can be found here.