The Archaeological Museum in Zagreb traces its origins to the National Museum that began public activity in 1846. Its archaeological department became independent over time, and since 1940 the Archaeological Museum has operated as a standalone institution. It has been housed in the Vranyczany-Hafner Palace on Zrinski Square since 1945.
The museum’s holdings include over 450,000 archaeological artefacts from various periods, mostly from Croatian territory but also significant foreign material. Major collections include:
- Prehistoric artefacts
- Egyptian collection (one of the few in the region) with about 600 objects on permanent display
- Classical Greek and Roman collections
- Medieval pieces
- Numismatic (coins and medals) collection, one of the largest in Europe
Famous objects include the Vučedol Dove, the Liber Linteus Zagrabiensis (Etruscan linen book), and the Zagreb Mummy.
The current building has been reported to have a total area of about 5 100 m² after recent renovations.