Lapidarium - a museum for a new age

Lapidarium Museum houses one of the most important collections of stone monuments in Croatia. Numbering about 100, the monuments hail from the first to the eighteenth century. Half of the monuments, mostly representing elements of church architecture from the Parish Church of St. Pelagius, are part of the museum’s permanent exhibition.

The museum’s most interesting exhibit is the ciborium of Bishop Mauritius, dating from the end of the eighth century. Originating in the parish church, it was built during the time of the Frankish state and its famous ruler Charlemagne, when Novigrad was the centre of the diocese and secular Frankish rule.

The area of the museum housing the ciborium has been built to resemble the baptistery in which it was originally located. This is yet another shining example of the progressive use of architecture in presenting ancient monuments.

And in its other aspects, Lapidarium Museum lives in line with modern times. It has been the venue of rock band performances and other events for visitors of all ages, and is easy to imagine it as a setting for an avant-garde performance or movie.

An ideal place to visit with children and young people, it is sure to impress everyone enthusiastic about original designs, ancient history and its modern interpretation. It would be a pity if you left Novigrad without visiting Lapidarium, a museum for a new age!