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The historical and cultural development of Karlovac and its surrounding area in the period between the 14th century to the end of the 19th century is presented in thematically organised segments that provide a monograph treatment of the urban history of the town. The exhibition starts by showing the late mediaeval period before the invasion of the Turks into north-west Croatia, illustrating the types of old fortified towns.
The importance of building a new fortress – the first completely symmetrical fortification in Croatia – is stressed by the plan from 1579, weapons, cannonballs and a book of military rules, while religious life is illustrated with wooden statues.
The permanent exhibition also deals with schools, hospitals and pharmacies with original certificates, teaching aids and apothecaries’ instruments. Town dwellings are represented by an ambience room with representative pieces of furniture and crafts, with styles ranging from the baroque, to Biedermeier to Art Nouveau.
The exceptional importance of trade and the crafts to the development of Karlovac from the beginning of the 18th century is illustrated by the collection of objects from guilds, most notably signboards and objects made by locksmiths, blacksmiths, a tailors’ guild tablet from the 17th century, charters and diplomas, tradesmen’s travelling papers and guild chests. Special attention is given to printing presses in Karlovac and the founding of the Illyrian Reading-Room.
The social life in town during the 19th century is also illustrated by characteristic items that are representative of organised fire-fighting, shooting clubs, bicycling and mountaineering, the significant contribution made by photographers from Karlovac, and especially the role of “The First Croatian Zora Society”.
One also cannot forget the exploration expeditions undertaken by the brothers Seljan, Janko Mikic and Napoleon Luksic, as well as the earlier travels to Africa and South America undertaken by Jakov Schaschel, all of them from Karlovac.
The cataloguing of objects from the sphere of cultural history in 1952 marked the beginning of a professional and systematic approach to museum activities, and this work was done by the head of the Museum Ivana Vrbanic, who was succeeded in her efforts by the curator Marinka Muzar. The holdings of the department over time evolved into the following entities: the collections of furniture, applied art, weapons (cold steel and firearms), guild materials, archives and a collection of photographs. Over five hundred objects have been catalogued.
Head of the department: Igor Culig
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