Croatian Maritime Museum, Split

Situated within the 17th-century Gripe Fortress, the Croatian Maritime Museum finds its home in a charming 19th-century building. Originally established in 1997, the museum succeeded the Military-Maritime Museum, which was initially founded by the Yugoslav Navy back in 1960. It also inherited a significant collection from the Maritime Museum of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts, an institution that existed from 1956 to 1985.

A remarkable fusion of historical legacies, the Museum amalgamates collections from various sources, including the Split Maritime Museum, the Military Maritime Museum, and several associated maritime heritage collections, boasting marine archaeological discoveries and artifacts from the Brodosplit Museum situated in Split's shipyard.

With a primary focus on maritime heritage along the Adriatic coast, the museum diligently conducts research, acquires new items, and carefully archives and exhibits a diverse array of artifacts and documents spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era. Remarkably, it stands within the 17th-century Gripe Fortress, the sole fully preserved fortified structure in Split.

Stepping inside, visitors can marvel at the vast array of items thoughtfully arranged into various collections. Depending on their size and nature, these intriguing objects are showcased both indoors and outdoors, offering a captivating journey through maritime life, ranging from ancient Classical times to the era of steam engines.