The new Neanderthal Museum in Krapina opened in February 2010 and is a brilliant day out. Designed by Croatian experts with the assistance of museums, artists and multimedia experts from around the globe, it uses leading-edge technology to create a unique experience. It illustrates the story of life on Earth and the evolution of mankind, explaining the importance of fossilized Neanderthal remains discovered here and the way that their significance was deciphered.

The museum is located at Hušnjakovo, the site where fossilized Neanderthal remains dating back 130 000 years were found. This is the most numerous and most varied collection of such fossils in the world. The remains of dozens of people were found, together with those of animals such as the cave bear, wolf and rhinoceros as well as Palaeolithic stone implements. After enjoying the interactive museum displays, you can walk outside and see the site of the dig.

It is not only the direct connection with the original find that brings you so close to deep prehistory: sculptures of Neanderthal families are so realistic that visitors have an eerie sense that they are about to move at any moment. You’re propelled back in time by sounds and smells recreating the world of Neanderthal man. You can touch the sculptures and learn about their emotions, rituals and entertainment. In short, this is about as close to Neanderthal man as you can possibly get, and is a real eye-opener, revealing how close to our own kind the Neanderthals truly were.

Šetalište Vilibalda Sluge bb, Krapina Tel. (+385-49) 37 14 91, 37 49 54 www.mhz.hr, www.mkn.hr
Group reservations: rezervacije-mkn@mhz.hr

Opening hours (last entry is one hour before closing)
Summer: 1 April to 31 October: 9am – 6pm, Sat & Sun 20 June to 31 August: 10am – 7pm
Winter: 2 November to 28 February: 9am – 4pm
March: during the week the Museum is open 9am – 4pm (last entrance 3pm), weekends (Sat, Sun) 9am – 6pm (last entrance 5pm)