- Address: Petra I Petrovića 11, Stari grad
- Phone: +382 33 453 308
- Working hours: Tue-Fri: 9: 00-21: 00, Sat-Sun: 14: 00-21: 00, Mon - closed
- Ticket price: adult - € 2,5, children - € 1,5
Budva is the oldest city in Montenegro and has a rich, centuries-old history, and here is the amazing archaeological museum (Archaeology Museum).
History of the collection
The idea to create such an institution appeared in 1962, it was established in a couple of months, but for universal access it was opened in 2003. The Archaeological Museum is located in the old part of town in a stone building. Until the middle of the XIX century, the family lived here Zenovich, whose family coat of arms still adorns the walls of the structure.
The original collection numbered 2500 exhibits dating from the 4th-5th century BC. They were gold coins, samples of weapons, various ornaments, ceramic and earthenware, silverware and ceramics, which were discovered in 1937 during excavations of Greek and Roman necropolises at the foot of the rock of Svetipas. In total, about 50 such graves were found.
In 1979, there was a terrible earthquake that brought large-scale destruction to the city, but during the restoration of the collapsed buildings excavations were carried out and new artifacts were discovered. Subsequently, they replenished the museum collection.
Description of sight
The archaeological museum in Budva consists of 4 floors:
- The first is a lapidarium, consisting of stone slabs with ancient inscriptions, and burial urns made of glass and rocks. The pride of this hall is an ancient stone slab on which 2 fish are engraved. This is a famous Christian symbol, which later became the emblem of the city of Budva.
- On the second and third floors there are exhibition stands, where personal items, kitchen utensils and household items that once belonged to the Byzantines, Greeks, Montenegrins and Romans are displayed. Among the exhibits are wine cups, coins, oil storage vessels, clay dishes, amphorae that span the period from the V century BC. and until the Middle Ages.
- On the fourth floor there are ethnographic exhibits. They tell about the life and life of the population of Montenegro, covering the period from the beginning of the XVIII century to the beginning of the XX century. Here you can see military uniforms and equipment, pieces of furniture, dishes, seaworthy appliances, samples of traditional clothes, etc.
The highlight of this collection is the bronze helmet, which belonged to the Illyrians in the V century BC. It is perfectly preserved to the present day, and resembles a large helmet without visor, but with peculiar ears. Notable and the goddess Nika, depicted in the ancient Greek medallion.
Visiting institution
The size of the archaeological museum is small, and you can bypass it slowly in 1.5-2 hours. There are no Russian-language tablets, and there is no guide.
The institution operates from Tuesday to Friday from 09:00 am and until 20:00 pm, and on weekends from 14:00 and also until 20:00. On Monday in the museum is a day off. The cost of the children's ticket is 1.5 euros, and the adult cost is 2.5 euros.
How to get to the Archaeological Museum in Budva?
From the city center you can walk or drive by car through the ancient streets of Njegoševa, Nikole Đurkovića and Petra I Petrovića, which have preserved the remains of ancient stones.
Traveling and sightseeing buses also go to the historical district of Budva. To get to the archaeological museum, you will need to enter the yard, where the well is located, and climb the stairs.
The expositions of the institution will introduce travelers not only to the history of the city of Budva and the whole coastline, but also mentally will take you back to those distant times when the culture and traditions of the country were only beginning.