Proof that socialism can be explained in a fun way.
Dubrovnik has many interesting museums. Some represent the powerful naval fleet of the Republic of Dubrovnik, some the importance of Dubrovnik’s diplomacy in the Middle Ages, the archaeological museum, the ethnographic museum, the archive …. By visiting the museums, you’ll learn more about the Republic of Dubrovnik and the city of Dubrovnik.
The Red History Museum
But in the Gruz district, there’s a little red museum… No, it’s not red inside, but its name is Red History Museum. You might immediately think that this is one of those museums that represents Communist politicians, but the young team behind this museum is heading in a completely different direction. Red History Museum is informative, but at the same time humorous. A visit to this museum will make you feel like you’re visiting a socialist-era apartment, and Red History Museum is a great way to go back to the days before smartphones and show kids what technology was like back then.
Yugo, The Red History Museum
As you enter the museum, you’ll be greeted by Yugo, a car made at the Zastava factory in Kragujevac, Serbia. Yugo and Zastava 128 were symbols of the Yugoslav automotive industry. Although they are no longer manufactured, well-preserved specimens can still be seen on the road. The Yugo was my first car, and it says here that anyone who learns to drive a Yugo can also drive a tank.
Josip Broz Tito
We arrive in the room dedicated to Josip Broz, known as Tito (Kumrovec, May 7, 1892 – Ljubljana, May 4, 1980). Tito was the Croatian and Yugoslav politician, revolutionary, statesman, Communist leader, dictator and President of SFR Yugoslavia without term limits. Although his regime was criticized as authoritarian for its political repression, responsible for the deaths of political opponents and his term of office, he was a popular politician and considered a “benevolent dictator”. This continues to inspire sharp controversial notes, ranging from negative to positive. The ninth on the list of the greatest authors of the 20th century is responsible for the deaths of 1,170,000 people, most of them political opponents.
Josip Broz Tito, President of Yugoslavia
The only person to smoke in the White House
The technology and furniture of the time
Remember the old bra commercials? Probably not, but when you walk into the “bedroom in bed” on the TV of the time, you can watch it.
I have to admit, I wondered how we dialed the numbers on the old phone? Ask the kids, they’ll probably make you laugh with the answers.
Take a step back in time and enjoy coffee the way our grandmothers did.
All the furniture you see in the museum came from every apartment and house in the former Yugoslavia. Even today, you can still find an apartment with the same furniture.
In the days of ex-Yugoslavia, all the children and young people took an oath and became Pioneers. White shirts, blue pants, a blue cap with a red star and a red scarf around the neck were the hallmarks of Tito’s Pioneers. At the museum, you can see the pioneers’ uniforms and read the oath.
Winter Olympics
A special part of the museum is dedicated to the Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo in 1984. All of Yugoslavia was extremely proud of these Olympic Games and their logo – Vučko (or little wolf) could be seen everywhere.
The museum is located in the Gruz district, on the first floor of a building constructed in the early 60s. Although it’s not inside the old town, it’s well worth a visit.
The museum’s address is: Svetog Križ 3, 20 000 Dubrovnik
Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Ticket price: 50 HRK or 8 EUR; children up to 7 years free of charge
The museum is particularly interesting to visit with a guide, so if you’re interested in doing so, please don’t hesitate to contact me.