Red History Museum

The Red History Museum is relatively new in Dubrovnik and is dedicated to exploring the history of communism in Croatia and Yugoslavia. This museum is located in an old Carbon Graphite Products Factory, a key monument during the socialist period and once one of the leading industrial plants in Dubrovnik. Comprehensively examining the political and cultural events that shaped the region during the socialist era, this museum contains a mix of multimedia exhibits, interactive displays, and traditional museum exhibits. Visitors can explore a range of topics, from the beginnings and rise of communism in Yugoslavia to how a day in the life of Yugoslavia looked for citizens, first-hand memories, and the eventual collapse of the socialist government. The museum also offers educational programs and workshops for visitors of all ages. This intriguing new addition to Dubrovnik's cultural scene interactively presents an essential period in Croatia's history.

Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik (MOMAD)

While the Museum of Modern Art was founded in 1945 at the Cerva-Pozza Palace, the current museum has been located in the mansion of Dubrovnik ship owner Božo Banac since 1948. The Gothic and Renaissance building is arranged over four floors and was founded to collect, study, and exhibit modern and contemporary art material. MOMAD hosts a collection of 3,000 artworks covering modern art from the end of the 19th century to the end of World War II. The museum’s contemporary art features visual art produced since World War II, with sculptures, paintings, prints, photographs, videos, and installations. Most exhibited artists have some relation to the Dubrovnik region, and one of the most famous artists featured in the museum is celebrated Croatian artist Vlaho Buhovac, born in the nearby Cavtat in 1855.

Cultural History Museum

It’s hard to miss the stunning facade of the Cultural History Museum, with striking arches inviting those curious about Dubrovnik’s culture. Housed in the Rector’s Palace, once the official residence of the rector of the Dubrovnik Republic, this Gothic-Renaissance palace dates back to the 15th century. Since then, this famous institution has endured many renovations, and today, this two-story building houses the Cultural History Museum. The origins of the Museum go back to 1872, with more materials collected after World War II. The Cultural History Museum ​​features valuable cultural, historical, and artistic materials, highlighted in fifteen collections from paintings to textiles, furniture to weapons, counting around 20,000 total objects from the middle of the 14th century to the beginning of the 20th century!

The Maritime Museum

If you want to get in touch with Dubrovnik’s maritime heritage on your next sailing trip, head to the Maritime Museum. Founded in 1949 by the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, this museum is located on the first and second floors of St John’s Fort, dating back to 1346. This fort was once one of Dubrovnik’s most important as it guarded the entrance into the city port! Most of this museum’s collection comes from numerous donations from Dubrovnik citizens, the Patriotic Museum in the first half of the 20th century, and objects from the ‘Dubrovnik Seafaring through the Ages’ exhibition held in 1941. This museum runs through Dubrovnik’s maritime heritage from antiquity to today, with over 11,000 objects in 15 collections. Visitors can explore everything from maps to navigational instruments, model ships, and findings recovered from shipwrecks.

Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnographic Museum is dedicated to preserving the traditional cultural heritage of the Dubrovnik region, located in a 16th-century granary building in the heart of the historic old town. Offering visitors a unique glimpse into the traditional way of life, this museum features over 6,000 artifacts and exhibits showcasing the customs and traditions of the people of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area. The museum's exhibits are themed and cover topics from agriculture to fishing, weaving, and traditional crafts. Some highlights are traditional clothing and jewelry, farming tools, household items such as pottery and kitchen utensils, and musical instruments. The Ethnographic Museum also hosts temporary exhibits and cultural events throughout the year, including workshops, lectures, and concerts.

War Photo Limited

Founded by photographer Wade Goddard, the War Photo Limited Museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s. The museum is spread over two floors in the historic UNESCO-protected old town, featuring a collection of photographs, multimedia exhibits, and artifacts that tell the story of the war and its impact on the people of Dubrovnik and Croatia. The museum's exhibits are designed to educate visitors about the causes and consequences of the war and the experiences of those who lived through it. Some highlights include photographs of the destruction of Dubrovnik's old town, images of civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict, artifacts such as shrapnel, and a screening room where visitors can watch documentaries and films related to the war. There are even temporary exhibitions showcasing other war-torn areas like Syria and Ukraine. The War Photo Limited Museum is dedicated to promoting peace and understanding by raising awareness of the devastating effects of war. The museum serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and protecting civilians in times of conflict and is considered one of Dubrovnik’s must-visit museums.

Love Stories Museum

And to end, one for the romantics. The Love Stories Museum in Dubrovnik collects and displays love stories and sentimental items donated from around the world. The museum touches on different collections, from local historical and mythical love stories to its global collection of real love stories, romance from legendary film and TV shows shot in Dubrovnik, including Game of Thrones, Robin Hood, and Star Wars, and the inspirations behind the most famous love ballads. The Love Stories Museum is located at Pile gate, just outside the city walls, offering a heartwarming escape from Dubrovnik’s rich history.

Which museum in Dubrovnik will you head to first? Make sure to add Dubrovnik to your sailing route this Summer. Check out our proposal for the route from Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik. Browse through our fleet and contact us for a few remaining available weeks of this season!