Dubrovnik’s Cultural History Museum fills the grand rooms of the Rector’s Palace (Knežev dvor), the former seat of the Republic of Ragusa. Inside you’ll walk through period-furnished state rooms, a courtroom and prison, arms and armor displays, coin cabinets, portraits, textiles, and more. The museum systematizes ~15 collections and ~20,000 objects spanning from the mid-14th to the early-20th century, so even a quick visit feels rich; enthusiasts can easily linger 90 minutes.
Top Tickets & Tours
- Cultural History Museum (Rector’s Palace) – single ticket: Fastest way to visit. Buy e-tickets or on-site (card-only). Good if you’re only doing the Palace.
- “10 Museums & Galleries” combined ticket (7-day validity): Best for museum-hopping over a few days. Includes this museum plus Maritime, Ethnographic (Rupe), Archaeological Exhibitions (Revelin), Modern Art, Natural History, House of Marin Držić, Dulčić-Masle-Pulitika Gallery, and Studio Pulitika.
- Dubrovnik Pass (1/3/7 days): Best if you’ll walk the City Walls and visit at least one museum (this one included) and want bus rides bundled.
Quick pick:
Walls + this museum = Dubrovnik Pass.
Several museums over a few days = Combined ticket.
Just this site = Single ticket.
Tickets & Passes
- Single ticket (Rector’s Palace / Cultural History Museum): Adult €15, students/children €8, family €35 (up to 2 adults + children ≤14). One-time entry. Buy on-site (POS card-only) or as an e-ticket.
- Combined ticket (10 Museums & Galleries): Adult €20, students €10, family €45. Valid 7 days from first use; one entry per site. Same payment terms.
- Free/discounted: Free for residents of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, children under 7, and ICOM/HMD members; University of Dubrovnik, RIT Croatia, and Libertas students free Oct–Jun.
- Dubrovnik Pass:€40 / €50 / €60 for 1 / 3 / 7 days. Includes City Walls, 6 museums + 2 galleries (this museum among them) and local bus rides (allowance varies by duration). Buy online or at city outlets.
Prices, Discounts & Free Entry Rules
Expect the following official prices at museum desks (card only): Rector’s Palace €15 (adult) / €8 (students/children) / €35 (family). The 10-museum combined ticket is €20 / €10 / €45. Combined tickets remain valid for 7 days, activated on first museum entry, and allow one entry per venue. Listed free-entry categories apply across Dubrovnik Museums.
Opening Hours & Seasonal Schedule
- Apr 1 – Oct 31: 09:00–18:00 (closed Mondays through May 31).
- Nov 1 – Mar 31: 09:00–16:00 (closed Mondays).
- Closures: Dec 25, Jan 1, Feb 3 (St Blaise). Short hours 09:00–12:00 on Dec 24 & Dec 31. Always check same-day notices for special events in the atrium.
Location, Entrances & Map
Address: Pred Dvorom 3, 20000 Dubrovnik (between St Blaise Church and the Cathedral; steps from Luža Square and Sponza). Main entrance beneath the arcaded loggia.
How to Reach
- On foot: The Old Town is pedestrian-only. From Pile Gate (west), walk the Stradun ~6–8 minutes to Luža Square, then right to the palace.
- By bus: Most Libertas lines converge on Pile—notably 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 6 (and others); from Pile Gate it’s an easy walk inside the walls.
- Taxis/Uber: Drop-off outside Pile or Ploče gates. There is no parking inside the Old Town.
How Long to Spend & Ideal Visiting Route
Plan 60–90 minutes for a comfortable visit. Efficient route if you’re short on time: Atrium (quick orientation) → Courtroom & prison (ground floor) → State rooms upstairs (Rector’s study/bedchamber, salons) → Collections (arms & armor; coins/medals; portraits; furniture). With 45 minutes, prioritize the atrium, courtroom, and one upstairs suite.
Highlights & Must-See Galleries
- State rooms: Period-furnished chambers recreate elite civic life at the end of the Republic; look for rococo bedrooms, salons, and official desks.
- Courtroom & prison: Evocative ground-floor spaces that bring the Republic’s justice system to life.
- Arms & armor: Blades, firearms, and military gear chart Ragusa’s defense.
- Coins & medals (numismatics): Dubrovnik coinage, seals, weights—and often timepieces—on the mezzanine give a compact economic history of the city.
- Portraits & fine art: Works tied to local patrician families and the Dubrovnik school.
- Furniture & decorative arts:600+ pieces from the 17th–early-20th centuries in the permanent display.
History & Architecture
The palace itself is part of the story: originally Gothic, it was rebuilt after a 1463 gunpowder blast and later earthquakes (1520, 1667), gaining Renaissance and then Baroque elements. The celebrated Baroque staircase and a bell were added in the atrium; the result is a harmonious blend that frames today’s museum.
Guided Tours & Audio Guide Options
- Official multimedia audio guide (free app): Download the Rector’s Palace guide for room-by-room narration before you arrive. Bring earbuds.
- Guided walks of the Old Town: Many city tours cover the palace exterior/atrium; interior admission is not always included—book a tour that explicitly says Rector’s Palace interiors if you want a guided museum visit.
Accessibility, Stairs & Facilities
This is a historic building with stone floors and stairs. Upper floors require stairs; practical access for wheelchair users is typically ground-floor only (courtroom/prison and atrium). If lift assistance is available during your visit, staff will advise—ask at the entrance. Space for strollers and large backpacks is limited; travel light. Payments at museum desks are card-only.
Photography, Security & Visitor Rules
Expect standard museum etiquette: no flash, no tripods, and follow room-specific signs and staff instructions. Food/drink isn’t permitted in exhibit rooms. Large bags may be restricted; you may be asked to carry daypacks in front or leave bulky items at supervision.
Best Time to Visit & Crowd Tips
- Arrive at opening (09:00) or late afternoon for calmer rooms and softer light in the atrium.
- On cruise-heavy days, streets peak from late morning; slot the museum early or late and save the City Walls for the opposite part of the day.
- Check the museum’s live “visitor numbers & crowd forecast” link before you go to time your entry.
Events & Temporary Exhibitions
- The atrium hosts summer classical concerts during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival—magical acoustics, limited seating, and evening start times (typically 21:30). Book ahead.
- Current/seasonal exhibitions are listed on the Dubrovnik Museums site (e.g., “The History of Dubrovnik Tramway 1910–1970,” Aug 27, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026). Check what’s on during your dates.
Combine with Nearby Sights
From the palace door, you’re 2–3 minutes from the Cathedral & Treasury, St Blaise Church, Sponza, and an entrance to the City Walls—an easy loop before or after your museum visit. (Allow 90–120 minutes for the Walls.) The Maritime Museum in Fort St John is also close if you’re using the 10-museum ticket.
How Long to Spend & Ideal Visiting Route
- 1 hour (efficient): Atrium → Courtroom/Prison → State rooms (one suite) → Coins & furniture highlights.
- 1.5–2 hours (deep dive): Full ground floor → Complete state rooms circuit → Arms & armor → Coins & medals → Decorative arts → Final sweep through portraits.
Suggested Itineraries
- Short & sweet (1 hour): Cultural History Museum → Coffee at Luža Square → Cathedral.
- Classic morning (2 hours): Cultural History Museum → Sponza photos → City Walls (start Ploče or near the Palace).
- Half-day Old Town: Museum → Cathedral & Treasury → Rector’s Palace atrium concert (evening in summer).
