Prirodoslovni muzej

Prirodoslovni muzej (Natural History Museum) in Metković was Croatia's first multimedia natural history museum, housed in the restored 1891 Vaga tobacco weighing station right next to the town library. Reopened after a thorough renovation on 17 July 2015, the museum tells the story of the Neretva Delta — one of the most important wetland ecosystems on the eastern Adriatic coast.

How do you get there?

The museum sits in central Metković, close to the Neretva riverbank, sharing its building with the City Library and reading room. The setting itself is part of the appeal: a former tobacco-weighing station from the late 19th century, a reminder of the town's history as a tobacco-trading hub in the river delta. Metković lies on the main road linking Dubrovnik with the Dalmatian hinterland, so the museum pairs easily with a visit to the delta itself, a boat trip on the river, or a stop at the nearby Neretva Delta Nature Park.

What will you see inside?

The permanent exhibition unfolds across five circular rooms, designed by specialists from the Croatian Natural History Museum in Zagreb. The first room introduces visitors to the region's geology and karst features, including a three-dimensional cave reconstruction. The following rooms present 3D dioramas of the delta's aquatic and terrestrial habitats — from reed beds and marshes to the dry hills that frame the river valley. Displays include preserved birds, fish, insects, and a herbarium of plants typical of the region, all supported by information panels, multimedia screens, and interactive stations aimed at making the delta's ecosystem accessible to children as well as adults.

Where does the ornithological collection come from?

The heart of the museum is one of Europe's largest ornithological collections. It began in 1952, when ornithologist Dragutin Rucner and the Metković Hunting Society founded a public collection of around 240 mounted birds. Over the decades it grew to more than 340 specimens covering 218 bird species — nearly 70% of the 310 species ever recorded in the Neretva Delta. The collection reflects the delta's outsized importance as a resting ground for millions of birds migrating between Europe and Africa.

When should you visit, and what does it cost?

The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00, and Saturdays from 9:00 to 14:00. A standard ticket costs €6, a family ticket €7, and a reduced ticket for organized groups, pupils, students, and pensioners €4. Budget an hour or two for the visit — the rooms are compact but dense with detail, so reading through the displays properly takes longer than the size of the museum suggests. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to pair a museum visit with time out in the delta itself, when the largest flocks of migratory birds pass through the region.

Frequently asked questions

Is the museum suitable for children? Yes. The habitat dioramas, multimedia screens, and interactive elements make it a family-friendly stop, and the family ticket offers a discount over buying individual entries.

How long does a visit take? Around one to two hours, depending on how closely you read the panels accompanying the dioramas and the ornithological collection.

Are the exhibits explained in English? The exhibition includes multimedia information panels designed for a broad audience, including the international visitors who come to explore the Neretva Delta.

Is it worth combining with a trip into the Neretva Delta? Definitely — the museum works as a natural introduction to the delta's ecosystem before or after a boat trip or a cycling route through the surrounding canals and fields.