The Neanderthal Museum in Krapina

In 1856, human remains belonging to a species that preceded Homo sapiens were discovered in a Neanderthal valley in Germany. From the name of the place where they were found, the species was named Homo Neanderhalensis, or more commonly Neanderthal Man.

Since then, many remains of this species of short, stocky, small-brained human have been found in Europe. In particular, a region in the Croatian interior has made headlines for its numerous finds.

The region in question is Krapina, a Croatian region north of the capital. Here, in some caves, excavations carried out in the 1900s have brought to light numerous remains, so much so that today an entire area is dedicated to the archaeological park.

A visit to the Neanderthal Museum is both a visit to a particular museum, with its well-exhibited remains and other installations, and an opportunity for a wonderful outdoor experience. In fact, the external path allows the visitor to enter the same caves where the finds exhibited in the museum are located. Some of these routes can be visited without a guide, while others require a guide.

The exhibition space is really interesting: the structure consists of a rock wall, closed at the front by windows, spread over two floors. Inside, a path has been prepared that explains the history and geology of the region, as well as the history of the origins of the human race.

The journey is conceived as a journey back in time to discover our origins as a human race.

Both inside the museum and in the outdoor area, on the hill where the finds were discovered, you can admire life-size reproductions of Neanderthals.

It is really interesting to observe how this species that preceded us is so different and yet so similar to us!

As mentioned before, the museum is newly built, although it tells a story that goes back thousands of years, but it is equipped with the latest technological innovations. In addition to the hi-tech installations, there are audio guides that can be downloaded via an app and are available in five languages.

The main attraction of the region, the museum is easily accessible from the town of Krapine. A visit to the museum is convenient and desirable even for those coming from the capital, Zagreb, which is only 55 kilometers away.

As for the opening hours, they vary according to the season, so it is advisable to consult the official website for updated information.