Photo: HINA / mm10th Anniversary of the Victory Museum and Liberation of Dalmatia (3.11.2026)
Historical overview from opening in 2016 to today: founding, development, visitors and media coverage of the museum's tenth year.
Šibenik · old town
Victory and Liberation of Dalmatia
In the ground floor of a Renaissance palace in Šibenik's old town, a modern and interactive telling of a larger story: the organised resistance of Dalmatia's people against the occupier in the Second World War.
Exhibition
A small hall, a large story
The permanent exhibition leads chronologically through the wartime events in Dalmatia, equipped with interactive interfaces and a small multimedia hall in the palace's former cistern; alongside it the museum also holds temporary thematic exhibitions.
History
Resistance, offensive and the return of Dalmatia
The museum's story begins in 1941 and ends in 1945, but its meaning lies in one consequence: Dalmatia and its islands then became part of Croatia for the second time in the twentieth century.
- 1941.
Occupation
April 1941: the attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and its collapse. The Dalmatian coast falls under fascist Italy, and the NDH introduces racial and totalitarian laws.
- 1941.-1944.
Resistance
From summer 1941 partisan detachments and a civilian support network appear: Biokovo, Mosor, Promina, Šibenik and the hinterland. Throughout this period Dalmatia feeds, protects and organises resistance despite famine and reprisals.
- 1943.
ZAVNOH
The State Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Croatia is founded and adopts decisions on a federal Croatia in which Dalmatia and the islands have their place.
- 1944.
Offensive of the Eighth Corps
The offensive of the Eighth Dalmatian Corps of the NOV of Croatia breaks the occupier's line and brings liberation to most of Dalmatia; in November 1944 Šibenik is liberated as well.
- 1945.
Victory
The capitulation of German forces and the end of the war in May 1945 confirm the decisions taken during the people's liberation movement: Dalmatia and the islands remain in Croatia.
Visit
By appointment, in the old town
Open roughly every other day — volunteers keep the museum going all year, so visits are arranged in advance.
We have no budget to keep someone employed all year, so it is volunteers who keep the museum open. That is why it is usually open every other day rather than every day, and why we publish no fixed weekly schedule: a visit is arranged by telephone or WhatsApp on +385 99 8663 905, or with the form on this page, so that the exhibition can be opened and the museum prepared.
Current status
Today—
Tomorrow—
Updated
- Individual visitsIndividual visits are arranged in advance, ideally one day ahead, by phone, WhatsApp or the form.
- GroupsGroups should be booked a few days ahead so that we can prepare the opening of the exhibition and the multimedia hall in the former cistern.
- DurationVisiting the permanent exhibition takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
- AccessibilityThe museum is on the ground floor of a palace in Šibenik's historic old town, without steps, and an accessible WC is available inside the museum. The palace is reached through old-town streets - if you need help getting here, contact us before your visit.
Admission is free. The museum charges no ticket fees for individual visitors or groups, nor on exhibition and programme days.
Latest news
News
Photo: HINA / mmThe museum has a new website in four languages
A new museum website is live: four languages, accessible and cookie-free. Opening times and dates are published here and by phone.
Victory Museum and Liberation of Dalmatia opens in Šibenik
Ceremonially opened in November 2016 on the 72nd anniversary of the liberation of Šibenik, the museum began work in the palace premises at Fra Nikole Ružića 1.
Upcoming events
Events
032026
Anniversary of the liberation of Šibenik and 10 years of the museum: a large programme
November 3, 2026 11:00
Klub Azimut, Šibenik No booking needed
Support
Support the museum
The museum is run by volunteers: every donation, donated letter, photograph and memory directly expands the material the museum preserves.
Contact
Send an enquiry
Fra Nikole Ružića 1
22000 Šibenik
Croatia
+385 99 8663 905 · Send a WhatsApp message
Publicly listed number for arranging individual and group visits and for enquiries about opening times (phone and WhatsApp).