Maritime Museum

Dubrovnik Maritime Museum, located in the historic Fort St. John (Fort sv. Ivan), is dedicated to the presentation and preservation of the city’s rich maritime heritage. The museum was founded in 1949 and has been a part of the Dubrovnik museums since 1987, being one of the most important bearers of the city’s cultural and historical identity.

The Maritime Museum is located on Fort St. John’s first and second floor, in the fortress, which has been one of the most important points of the city’s defense. Fort St. John’s construction began in 1346 and its current appearance took shape in the late 16th century. In the 19th century, the fort was rebuilt, making it two-storied.

The museum has more than five thousand objects classified into fifteen collections. They range from ancient to modern, providing an in-depth look at Dubrovnik’s maritime history. The museum’s collections consist mainly of donations from the citizens of Dubrovnik, including items from the exhibition "Dubrovnik Seafaring Through the Ages", which opened in 1941. Exhibits include maritime related items such as model ships, navigational equipment, maps, sailors’ diaries and more.

The Maritime Museum is not only a place for collecting and exhibiting historical objects, but also a scientific and research center that systematically publishes materials about the maritime history of the Dubrovnik region.

The location of the museum in a fortress that used to guard the entrance to the city harbor underlines Dubrovnik’s historical dependence on the sea and its importance in the city’s defense strategy.