Turnac Tower and Museum

The cultural heart of Novi Vinodolski

An important part of the Frankopan Castle is the National Reading Room and Library, as well as the National Museum and Gallery Novi Vinodolski, with the Turnac Tower standing as its distinctive feature. These cultural institutions not only preserve the rich history of the region but also bring the city’s cultural life to life. The National Reading Room, located on the ground floor of the castle and founded in 1845, continues to play a key role in the education and cultural development of the community, while the City Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the history and traditions of the local people.

Adding a special charm to the castle is the Turnac Tower, which during the summer months hosts exhibitions of renowned artists, while in winter, it transforms into a magical Santa Claus House, becoming a favorite destination for families and children.

National Museum

The museum was opened to visitors in 1951, and since 1973, it has been housed in the Frankopan Castle (dating back to the early 13th century), on the second floor and in the Turnac Tower.

The permanent exhibition includes archaeological and underwater archaeological artifacts, numismatic, ethnographic, historical, sacral, and artistic collections. The museum’s collection consists of donations from individuals from both the homeland and the diaspora, as well as finds from underwater research at the Povile and Lopar sites (Novi Vinodolski).

Among the most valuable artifacts are archaeological items dating from the 1st to the 5th century and the 15th century, objects related to the renowned Mažuranić family from Novi Vinodolski (the saber of Ban Ivan Mažuranić, a feathered crest, a silver goblet, a relief gifted to him upon his appointment as Ban, his business cards, manuscripts, photographs, etc.), as well as original Novljan folk costumes and traditional musical instruments associated with the preserved authentic folklore of the city.

Gallery

The gallery exhibits works by M. C. Crnčić, O. Iveković, V. Nikolić, J. Kljaković, V. Potočnjak, and other painters.

The room in the castle where, on January 6, 1288, the Vinodol Code, the oldest legal monument of the Slavic South, was enacted, has been arranged as the City Council Hall. Adjacent to it is the Croatian Institute for Human Rights. In the entrance hall, facsimiles of characteristic pages from the transcription of this oldest historical-legal document – a legal text written in Old Croatian and Glagolitic script – are displayed.

The code was adopted when elected representatives of Vinodol towns – the free Vinodol municipalities – gathered in Novi Vinodolski, then called Novi Grad. It testifies to the distinct legal traditions of the Slavs in the Middle Ages, different from Roman law, and proves the strong organization of the Vinodol municipalities.

  • Trg Vinodolskog zakona 1, 51250 Novi Vinodolski
  • +385 51 244 266
  • info@nmig.hr
  • Weekdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, other times by appointment.
    *July/August:
    Weekdays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Sundays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
TZ Novi Vinodolski
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