Krapina Neanderthal Museum (Muzej krapinskih neandertalaca) is situated on the Hušnjakovo hill, a unique paleoanthropological site. The Hušnjakovo site was discovered in 1899 by the famous Croatian palaeontologist Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger and it bore the biggest collection of Neanderthal fossil bones found in one place. In total, about 900 bones and 1.200 stone tools belonging to Neanderthals were found; as well as 2.400 animal bones. Today, the museum offers an insight into the Neanderthals’ life and an exciting journey through geological history via its numerous interactive contents.
Neanderthal diorama
The largest Neanderthal diorama is located in the Krapina Neanderthal Museum. The 17 hyper realistic reconstructions are made by French artist Élisabeth Daynès, depicting the everyday life of Krapina Neanderthals.
Organic architecture
The museum building is immersed between two hills with only the front facade visible, thus being assimilated into the surrounding nature. The facade consists of yellow miocene sandstone which makes up the excavation site. The interior is „raw“ as it is made of concrete, simulating the prehistoric habitat of a Neanderthal man. The visitor feels sheltered and detached from the modern outside.
Krapina in the 19th century
The first part of the museum recreates life, traditions and knowledge of Krapina residents from the 19th century. As one moves forward, one can follow the development of natural sciences and different theories of human origins. At the end of this part, the visitor unearths the findings of Hušnjakovo.
Journey through deep time
Visitor unravel the mysteries of how all of it came to be. This part of the museum consists of a spiral ramp simulating the everchanging circle of life, marking important milestones in Earth’s history within a 24-hour-format.
The life of Neanderthals
In this part of the museum, the visitors get to know the Neanderthals’ morphology, illnesses, culture, behaviour and environment. One will learn how the Neanderthals were intelligent, sentient and highly organised as a society. Lastly, the differences between modern humans and ancient ones are presented.
The Hušnjakovo site
Take a stroll through the forest and discover the remains of the cave that once was a home to the Krapina Neanderthals.
Address
Muzej krapinskih neandertalaca
Šetalište Vilibalda Sluge bb
49 000 Krapina
Croatia
Hours & Admission
For opening hours and admission prices, please see the museum website.
Accessibility
People with disabilities are able to move through the museum with an escort, while the use of the hiking trail to the site is not possible due to the peculiarities of the terrain.
Other services
There is no public transport, but visitors can use the intercity transport to travel to Krapina. Those who travel by car can use the car park near the museum.
There is an option to view the museum’s webpage in Croatian, English and German (select at the top).
The souvenir shop is at the museum exit.
Programmes and Activities
Educational workshop for high school and college students “Hominini Skulls”, Archive of the Krapina Neanderthal Museum
Geological and paleontological workshops for children – field work, Archive of the Krapina Neanderthal Museum
KRAN - multimedia installation in the Krapina Neanderthal Museum, Archive of the Krapina Neanderthal Museum
Workshops in the park - acquiring prehistoric skills, Archive of the Krapina Neanderthal Museum
The museum offers guided tours in Croatian and English, as well as audioguides in eight languages (CRO, SLO, ENG, FR, DE, IT, CZ, HU).
Furthermore, the museum frequently organises exhibitions, lectures and educational interactive workshops for children of all ages (preschool, elementary school and high school), as well as for seniors.
Also, there is an option to take a thematic guided tour through the museum.
Additionally, temporary exhibitions are organised.
Krapina offers versatile options for an active vacation. The region is wooded and there are many hills to explore the natural beauty by hiking routes; as well as many historical sites like castles and museums.
The Krapina-Zagorje county is famous for its traditional dishes (štrukle, gibanica, turkey with mlinci) which you can taste on many eco estates. Maybe the most famous locations are the spas from all over northern Croatia where you can unwind and relax.
