Hello everyone.
Yesterday I decided to visit Zemaljski muzej for the first time. Maybe this visit is long overdue but better late than never.
Zemaljski Muzej or National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is oldest Museum institution in country. It is founded in 1888. At the first museum was on other location but due to lack of space in 1909 Museum building construction started. It finished in 1913 and up to this date this building is home of National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Zemaljski muzej has four pavilions and botanic garden. Exploring and walking through the history was special experience.
I will try to guide your step by step through the Zemaljski muzej or National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At National Museum there are also two exhibition of Stećak or monumental thomb stone at open.There is around 60 000 Stećak in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They date from 12th and 13th century and most of them are from 17th to 16th century.
These monumental tomb stones are decorated with figures, floral motifs, geometrical and architectural motifs as well. You can see different inscriptions and motifs depending on whose tombstone it is. They can belong to kings, warriors, important people or common folk.
Time to enter Zemaljski Muzej for the first time.
At first pavilion there are exhibitions for different periods of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here we have Prehistory section, Classical Antiquity Section and Middle ages section .
This part leads to the Prehistory exhibition section of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Prehistory section has more than 70 000 exhibit units from Paleolithic, Neolithic, Aeneolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age where all these artefacts come from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Material of artefacts ranges from ceramic, flint , stone, wood, metal and bones.
So interesting to different shapes and sizes of these artefacts from this time period.
On the screen you can see important artefacts from the certain periods of Prehistory and location where they are found.
On this floor are artefacts from earlier period and on second floor we get to newer time periods.
We start with early Stone age or Palaeolithic.
So many tools with sharp edges and different shapes. You can imagine that in order to make these tools you have to choose right material.
We move up through the time by each section.
House from early Neolithic period.
We can see that house is built using timber, stone and clay.
So amazing to see how people used to live. This is ideal reconstruction of Butmir Culture house (Neolithic culture that lived around middle and lower parts of river Bosna and got name where the remains of houses, Butmir, where first found).
Of course the heart of the house is oven. I think this part does not change even these days. Kitchen is always important.
We have come to pottery and ceramics from that period.
Now we are on second floor.
When I was down on the first floor I wondered why there is this object in the middle of atrium. It was blocking a sight a bit. Later when I was passing I noticed what it is about. Later I will come back to this artefact.
The usage of metal started. These are copper tools.
Places for refining copper and making tools and weapons.
So interesting to see all these copper refining techniques.
You have to have good knowledge of metal you want to shape according to your needs. These ovens are high technology for sure at that time.
Oven for potery.
Inside of the houses. We can see more furniture as well as more pottery.
This table and chair look quite nice. Nothing wrong with having them now in your home.
More metal artefacts from this period.
You can see how by time everything becomes more complex.
And yes back to the this strange long artefact hanging from the roof.
It is wooden monoxyl or dugout canoe. It is discovered in 1904.
It is 12,4 in length. intriguing part is that timber that canoe is made dates from mid 6th milLennium BCE. So many years ago and it is still standing there.
This is table on the entrance to the Prehistory section.
Here are important artefacts and you can rotate cubes to learn more - sides have photos, explanations, locations and person who discovered them.
Now we are headed to other part of first pavilion.
It is time for Classical Antiquity Section and Middle ages section of the Museum.
Here we have around 25 000 artefacts of provincial Roman culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina at that time. Artefacts date from 1st to 6th century.
Here there is a lot of stone work. There are column examples and writings on stone.
When you are walking around atmosphere can get you in that time period.
Long columns with these all decorations and artefacts is astonishing.
Iron and silver ores.
Some tools from that period.
Interesting tools.
Can you thing what are they used for?
It is used in sewing and by coppersmiths.
Now we go to the second floor. This is section reserved for Middle Ages.
It consists of 11 500 artifacts from 6th to 15th century.
Middle Ages section is divided in three exhibition halls. First hall is for artefacts from 6th to early 12th century. Second hall is for artefacts from 12th to 15th century. And last hall is for architecture and sculptures dating from 12th to 15th century.
Letter of King Tvrtko l from the 1382.
He is first Bosnian king.
Interesting metal objects and weapons from that time.
Of course the swords are there as well.
Silver coins.
Smaller artefacts and jewelry.
Architecture of that time.
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This was most probably throne of only independent queen, Jelena Gruba, of Bosnia at that time
Mosaics are so beautiful. At that time mosaics were used to decorate luxury villas and other buildings.
This mosaic is from 3rd century.
Details are so nicely done.
Such beautiful piece of art.
We finished with Antique and Middle Ages period as well and now we proceed to the botanic garden.
Botanic garden is quite relaxing place. It is in the middle of museum as there is pavilion from each side.
Water fountain is in the middle and there are sitting places as well.
This place is so beautiful. It is so calm here. You can relax and enjoy as much as you want.
The Botanic Garden is part of the exhibition of the Botany Section.Area is 14,270 square metres and it comprises of 12 scientific and exhibitory collections.
In this pavilion is library.
This is next pavilion where there is Zoology section, Botany section and Geology section.
Here are all sections of this part of pavilion. For me this was quite interesting. So many different animals.
I will show some interesting photo.
Domestic birds.
There are always new doors and new starirs.
The Balkan penisula insects were so exciting. Espencially when you have seen or took photos of some of them.
Trees of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Details about each tree species.
Some of these birds are so big. You are aware of their size when you stand near them.
Minerals of Bosnia and Balkans.
I did not expect this part of the Museum. It was very nice surprise.
Now it is time again for botanic garden. We took small break after visit to each pavilion. And you can not have enough of it.
While we were here crow stopped on the fountain. Drink some and cooled itself part of fountain where water sprinkles and flew away. Nice way to cool yourself on hot day.
Time to visit last pavilion.
Here we have exhibition called Exhibition April 1975 Phnom Penh – Saigon.
It is an exhibition that examines the lives and work of the journalists who covered the end of the wars in Cambodia and Vietnam in April 1975.
It opened on April 8th this year.
At upper floor is exhibition about traditional bosnian houses and life inside the house.
Models of the houses.
Details on these models are so good.
These are models of Sojenica or houses on wooden pillars.
They are lifted from the ground so flood wont do them harm. These houses were near rivers.
The Ethnology Department collects, maintains, exhibits, and studies all items of material, spiritual, and social culture of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has a rich collection of material which is stored or arranged into thematic exhibitions. It has two permanent exhibition and organizes several thematic shows every year.
This is guest room where guests are welcomed.
Traditional clothes is shown.
This is private part of the house. Family area.
Girl room where girls spend time.
Dinning room.
Bosanski ćilim or Bosnian carpet.
My first time in Zemaljski muzej / National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina and I was super. It is so big and has so many exhibitions inside that are worth visiting. You can find something for all generations.
It is easy to find. Public transportation passes nearby with both tram and buss transportation.
On the back is lovely Wilsonovo šetalište or Wilsons Promenade.
It is famous promenade in Sarajevo where you walk and spend some time especially during hot summer days.
480 trees of linden and chestnut along the promenade to accompany you.
