Double dose of archaeology in Zagorje: Veliki Tabor and Krapina celebrate European Archaeology Days

On the occasion of the European Archaeology Days, Zagorje will become a real little oasis for all lovers of history, heritage and research into the past this weekend. Two significant museums, Veliki Tabor Castle and the Krapina Neanderthal Museum, are preparing a rich, educational and free program for all ages.

Friday in Veliki Tabor: archaeology through a workshop, guided tour and escape room

On Friday, June 13, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m., visitors can expect educational and entertaining activities at the Veliki Tabor Castle.

The program will begin with a museum-educational workshop, TaborArheoLab, which will introduce participants to archaeology as a science in a theoretical and practical way. They will learn what archaeology is (and what it is not), what archaeologists do, and what their working days are like, and then try their hand at a small archaeological research and documenting the finds. At the end of the workshop, each participant will be able to take home a commemorative souvenir. At 5:30 p.m., a guided tour will follow through the permanent exhibition and museum exhibitions, with the main emphasis on archaeological themes. The event will end with an escape room-type workshop called Escape from the Palace. Participants will, with the help of a series of clues, have to solve tasks related to the permanent exhibition, museum objects, and Veliki Tabor stories and legends as quickly as possible, thus ensuring their escape from the palace and, of course, victory, which comes with a valuable prize. It is possible to participate in this workshop individually or in teams, and registration is required at the museum's souvenir shop upon arrival.

Event program
16:00 – 17:30              museum-educational workshop TaborArheoLab
17:30 – 18:30              guided tour through the permanent exhibition and museum exhibitions
19:00 – 20:00              museum-educational workshop Escape from the Palace (escape room)

Entrance to the museum from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and participation in all activities on the occasion of the European Archaeology Days is FREE! During the rest of the working hours of that day, i.e. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., tickets are charged according to the regular price list of Veliki Tabor Castle.

Saturday in Krapina: First-hand prehistory

A day later, on Saturday, June 14, the program moves to the Krapina Neanderthal Museum, where visitors can expect an interesting blend of paleontology, archaeology, and education. From 4 to 6 p.m., the workshop Dragonfly in paleontology, archaeology, and around us will be held, intended for anyone who wants to discover more about the world of ancient organisms and material culture through practical work.

In addition to the workshop, a free tour of the Museum's permanent exhibition is available from 4 to 9 p.m., which is an excellent opportunity for individual visits and getting to know one of the most important Neanderthal sites in Europe.

Whether you're a history buff, a family looking for quality weekend entertainment, or just a curious visitor - these days archaeology is accessible to everyone. Join us and become an archaeologist for a day!

The European Archaeology Days (EAD) have been continuously organized in France since 2010, and since 2019 the event has been expanding to other European countries. Its main organizers are the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of France (Ministère de la culture) and Inrap (Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives), along with a number of partner institutions across Europe. The aim of the event is to bring archaeology closer to the general public – participants have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the past and explore the material traces that man has left behind from the prehistoric period to the present day. During the three-day event (13-15 June 2025), around thirty countries offer around two thousand events across Europe, including tours of archaeological sites, educational and entertainment programs, meetings with archaeologists, exhibitions, screenings and similar activities. The main coordinator of the European Archaeology Days in Croatia has traditionally been the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb.