Ethnographic Museum — Attraction in City of Belgrade

The Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade was founded in 1901, when the Ethnographic Department was separated from the National Museum of Serbia. The first permanent exhibition of the museum was organized on 20 September 1904, during the centennial of the First Serbian Uprising. During the first years of its work, the activities of the Ethnographic Museum were focused on the purchase of museum items and the presentation of the Kingdom of Serbia abroad.

In World War I, a large number of museum items were destroyed, as well as the documentation and the library. The museum library was re-established in 1920. Today, its holdings contain about 60,000 publications: 33,000 books and about 27,000 journals dealing with ethnology, anthropology and related scholarly disciplines.

During World War II, museum objects were packed and removed from the building in which the museum was housed at that time. After the war, the museum was moved into the building of the Belgrade Stock Exchange.

The museum collections currently contain about 200,000 items, 56,000 of which are ethnographic objects.

Today, the Ethnographic Museum houses a large number of ethnographic objects, distributed in private collections (furniture, jewelry, traditions, costumes, folk architecture, industry, animal husbandry, transport, cult objects, etc.), has one of the richest specialized libraries in the Balkans and publishes professional...

Ethnographic Museum offers an immersive experience of going back in time whether it is through its detailed displays and video content or through organizing workshops for both children and adults. The permanent exhibition is delightfully set up and their current collection is one small treasure. Visit the Ethnographic museum if you find yourself in Belgrade.

Their goal of nurturing tradition and preserving culture is also reflected in limited differently themed events that occasionally take place in the same building. One of those was held on International Museum Day - "Vampire in the Ethnographic Museum" and was organized in collaboration with the Blood Transfusion Institute of Serbia. This special exhibit featured a display inspired by modern and traditional beliefs around vampires showcasing various items used for protection or present in local burial customs significant in folklore. The organizers prepared a range of activities including a dance recital, a discussion about the impact and role of vampires in pop culture vs folklore, a "find a hidden object" game for visitors, drinking smoking cocktails, a program for children and playing an iconic national horror movie "Leptirica".

For a small entry fee, you get to see a small piece of history and possibly bring a part of it home. Check out the museum shop for skillfully crafted handmade souvenirs from our...

The museum is exceptionally well-equipped and thoughtfully curated, showcasing a wide array of old Serbian antiques. From traditional clothing, weapons and tools, to household items, means of transport, and more. Every exhibit reflects great effort and dedication.

The audio presentations for certain items were particularly impressive, offering detailed explanations with a touch of humor, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The only thing that confused me was the dates on the items, as they indicated when the artifacts were discovered rather than the period they originated from. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful experience, and I am deeply grateful to the curator and the staff for their work and...