Imotski Museum – Tracing the Region’s Past from Antiquity to Modern Times

The building that today houses the Museum was constructed in 1903 as part of the industrial architectural complex of the largest tobacco purchasing station in Dalmatia. Built during the Austro-Hungarian period, between 1888 and 1917, it originally served as a dining hall and a resting space for workers.

On the ground floor of the Museum is a permanent exhibition divided into sections that present the history of the Imotski region from prehistory, through the ancient and early medieval periods, up to the mid-20th century.

The ancient period is represented by stone monuments: tombstones, votive inscriptions, mosaics, and stone sculpture, as well as metal objects such as jewelry, tools, and weapons. The abundance of ancient finds is due to the Roman road that passed through the Imotski region, connecting the main cities of the Roman province of Dalmatia – Salona and Narona. The Late Antiquity and Early Medieval period are represented by finds from early Christian basilicas. Particularly noteworthy are the interlaced stone reliefs, which testify to the presence of Croats in this area as early as the 8th century.

The exhibits of the Cultural-Historical Collection trace the development of the town of Imotski, with an emphasis on the period at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, when the town experienced economic growth and a flourishing of civic life.

The Ethnographic Collection is dedicated to the rural life of the Imotski area. In addition to household items, it features traditional folk costumes and many woven objects used in everyday life. Interestingly, women of Imotski used to raise silkworms and produce silk thread at home, which they used for sewing and embroidery.

The Tobacco Department contains objects related to tobacco production, which was once an important economic activity in this region. Many rural households grew tobacco, pipes were manufactured locally, and since the Museum building itself is part of the industrial complex for tobacco processing, it uniquely fits into the story of this activity.

The Museum also holds a large number of coins from Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Austro-Hungarian period, although they are not on display.

In the gallery space on the first floor of the building, temporary exhibitions are held.

Imotska Sila

“Imotska Sila” – a traditional summer cultural event. It begins on July 4th, the birthday of the great poet Tin Ujević.

Public Open University Imotski. (YouTube channel)

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You can find more details here.