Archaeological Museum in Split

Established in 1820, the Archaeological Museum in Split is Croatia’s oldest museum, housing over 150,000 artifacts from prehistory to the medieval period, including collections from Salona and Issa.

Planning your visit

The Archaeological Museum in Split is the oldest museum in Croatia, founded in 1820, and it holds over 150,000 objects — most importantly the material from Salona, the Roman provincial capital of Dalmatia a few kilometres inland, which was a city of some 60,000 people before Slavic and Avar invasions destroyed it in the seventh century and its refugees fled into Diocletian's palace, founding Split.

The collection covers prehistory, Greek settlement on the Adriatic islands including Issa on Vis, the Roman provincial period with sculpture, mosaics, glass and jewellery from Salona, late antiquity when Salona became an important early Christian centre, and the medieval period.

The sarcophagi are the standout, including finely carved examples with mythological scenes.

The museum sits north of the centre and is quiet compared with the palace, which most visitors never leave.

Bookable options include private guided tours with tickets. Current availability is shown below.