Guest exhibition in collaboration with the Croatian Museum of Prehistory
Today, Bled Castle opened the guest exhibition Krapina Neanderthal, the result of a collaboration between the Bled Institute for Culture and the Krapina Neanderthal Museum. This marks the first partnership of its kind between two major institutions dedicated to history and cultural heritage.
The exhibition presents visitors with the life of Neanderthals and remarkable fossil remains of prehistoric animals from the Krapina area. Part of the exhibition space is designed as a Neanderthal cave—with 200 kilograms of sand transported to the attic of Bled Castle to create a realistic prehistoric environment.
Shared Heritage, International Cooperation
At the opening, Mayor of the Municipality of Bled, Anton Mežan, and Duje Ančić, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, both addressed the audience. Ančić emphasized the importance of recognizing shared cultural heritage and highlighted the exhibition as a successful example of cooperation between the two countries.
Lea Ferjan, Director of the Institute for Culture Bled, stressed the importance of connecting with Slovenian and international museums: “This is not just about exchanging exhibitions, but about sharing knowledge, approaches, and creating opportunities for joint projects that broaden the accessibility and significance of cultural heritage.“
A Story 130,000 Years in the Making
At the opening, Jurica Sabol, Director of the Museums of Croatian Zagorje and author of the exhibition, shared with visitors the story of one of the greatest archaeological sites in Europe, dating back 130,000 years. To mark the occasion, Katinka Dimkaroska performed on a replica of the 60,000-year-old flute from the Divje Babe cave in the Knight’s Hall, accompanied by the group Krapina Neanderthals – Tribe of the Cave Bear, dressed in reconstructions of prehistoric clothing.
The Krapina Neanderthal exhibition will be on display in the hall above the castle museum until June 30, 2025, and can be visited daily during Bled Castle’s opening hours.