27 Croatian museums and institutions opening their doors for free for European Archaeology Days

Archaeological Museum Zagreb (Photo: Marko Vrdoljak/Zagreb Tourist Board)

ZAGREB, 10 June 2026 (Hina) – Croatia will once again take part in European Archaeology Days, with a three-day programme of free events taking place across the country from 12 to 14 June.

The international initiative, held simultaneously in more than 30 European countries, will see 27 Croatian museum, scientific and educational institutions open their doors to the public and present archaeology in an accessible and engaging way.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore archaeological heritage through interactive workshops, lectures, exhibitions and expert-guided tours designed for all age groups.

A central part of the Croatian programme, organised by the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, will take place at three locations.

Admission will be free to both the museum and the Andautonia Archaeological Park, although advance registration by email will be required for selected activities.

At the Archaeological Museum’s main building on Zrinjevac, the programme will begin each day from Friday to Sunday with an interactive walk titled “Zagreb Before Zagreb – Before 1094”.

Through encounters with historical characters including Emperor Diocletian and a centenarian slave, visitors will learn about the area’s earliest inhabitants.

Throughout the three days, visitors will also be able to explore the museum’s permanent collection and the exhibition “Protectores Patriae Caelestes – Guardians of Southern Croatia”, curated by Vanja Kovačić and Radoslav Bužančić. The exhibition highlights the rich heritage of patron saints from central Dalmatia.

Friday’s programme in the museum’s Lapidarium includes a readers’ club discussion of Robert Harris’s novel Pompeii.

On Saturday, visitors can take part in workshops exploring Roman beauty rituals and the preparation of date-and-honey sweets, while another session, “Roman Medicine and Hygiene”, led by D. Vukelić, will present ancient hygiene, surgical and dental instruments through the character of a Roman military physician.

The Saturday programme also includes free expert-guided tours of the museum’s Prehistoric, Numismatic, Egyptian, Classical Antiquity and Medieval collections.

At the Archaeological Museum’s “Prozor u AMZ” exhibition space in Zagreb’s Ilica Neboder Passage, visitors can view the exhibition “From Clay to Display Case”, which follows the journey of a Roman biconical jug discovered at the Gornja Vas archaeological site in the Žumberak region.

Meanwhile, the Andautonia Archaeological Park in Šćitarjevo will offer free self-guided visits and educational workshops on Saturday and Sunday.

European Archaeology Days aim to promote archaeological heritage and bring the public closer to the work of archaeologists through hands-on experiences and educational activities.

The event continues to grow across Europe, offering visitors unique opportunities to discover the past in an engaging and accessible way.