Bjelovar City Museum
Bjelovarsko-bilogorska županija
Bjelovar City Museum, established in 1949 and housed in the historic former city hall built in 1832, serves as a vibrant cultural institution in Bjelovar, Croatia. It preserves and exhibits a diverse collection of over 20,000 artifacts spanning cultural history, archaeology, natural sciences, ethnography, and modern history including the Homeland War. The museum also features a gallery department that highlights works by prominent Croatian artists born in Bjelovar and its surroundings, such as painters Nasta Rojc, Edo Murtić, Ive Friščić, and Minja Bosanac, sculptors Vojin Bakić and Josip Zeman, and photographer Toša Dapac. The building itself is historically significant, having hosted the meeting between Emperor Franz Joseph I and Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer in 1888. The museum underwent thorough renovation in 2009 and includes a restoration workshop, library, and three gallery spaces: Galerija Nasta Rojc, Mala galerija, and Galerija Koridor. Its courtyard stage regularly hosts concerts, theater performances, book promotions, and other cultural events, making it a lively center of artistic and historical education.
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Tip: Visit the museum during spring and summer months to enjoy outdoor cultural events in the museum's courtyard. It's advisable to check the official website or contact the museum for current exhibitions and event schedules. Tickets can sometimes be purchased in advance, and discounts may be available for students, seniors, or groups. The museum's central location on Trg Eugena Kvaternika makes it easily accessible by foot or local transport.
Interesting facts
- •The museum is housed in the former city hall building dating from 1832, which is itself a historical monument.
- •In 1888, Emperor Franz Joseph I met Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer in the museum building, an event known as the Bjelovar affair.
- •The museum holds over 20,000 artifacts covering a wide range of disciplines including archaeology, ethnography, and modern history.
- •Its gallery spaces showcase works by notable Croatian artists native to Bjelovar, such as Nasta Rojc and Vojin Bakić.
- •The museum courtyard features a stage used for concerts, theater, and other cultural events, enhancing community engagement.
History
The museum was founded in 1949 as the 'Oblasni muzej' on the initiative of the regional association of WWII fighters.
Initially collecting artifacts related to the workers' movement and national revolution, its collections expanded to include cultural-historical, natural science, archaeological, ethnographic, and modern history exhibits.
The museum building, originally constructed in 1832 as the city hall, witnessed significant historical events, including the 1888 meeting between Emperor Franz Joseph I and Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer, and the 1941 Bjelovar uprising proclamation of Croatian statehood from its balcony.
Renamed the City Museum in 1962, it has grown into a key cultural institution preserving the heritage of Bjelovar and its region.
Place Guide
Historic Museum Building1832
Originally built in 1832 as Bjelovar's city hall, this one-story building now houses the museum. It is notable for its historical architecture and the significant events that took place here, including the 1888 meeting between Emperor Franz Joseph I and Bishop Strossmayer.
Galerija Nasta Rojc
A dedicated gallery space within the museum showcasing works by Nasta Rojc, a prominent Croatian painter born in Bjelovar, known for her impressionist and expressionist styles.
Mala galerija and Galerija Koridor
Additional gallery spaces hosting rotating exhibitions of contemporary and historical art, including works by local artists and thematic cultural displays.
Restoration Workshop and Library
Facilities dedicated to the conservation and study of museum artifacts, supporting research and preservation efforts.
Museum Courtyard Stage
An outdoor venue within the museum's atrium used for concerts, theatrical performances, book promotions, and other artistic and cultural events, fostering community involvement.
Contact
Phone: 043 244 207
