Established several years ago and managed by a team of young professionals, Lapidarium Museum has helped usher Novigrad into a new millennium that poses novel challenges to towns in presenting their cultural heritage.
A masterpiece of modern design
The building housing the museum is in itself a curiosity. It is designed as two black boxes set in a park of green. The use of glass panels lends the building an air of transparency and accessibility. Although a masterpiece of modern design, the new museum blends perfectly with the old town centre that surrounds it.
One of the major collections of stone monuments in Croatia
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 late 8th century Mauritius ciborium
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.
Many events at the Lapidarium Museum
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!
Contact:
Tel.: +385 52 726 582
Mob: +385 91 577 76 07
Fax.: +385 52 726 583
E-mail: muzej-museo.lapidarium@pu.t-com.hr
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