From its very beginning, the Archaeological Museum of Istria has been dedicated to educational activities.
In 1955, the museum director, Prof. Boris Baćić, emphasized that the museum is “...a cultural institution responsible for the protection of monuments, and at the same time represents a school for the general cultural elevation of adults and must be a great support in the education of youth.” Guided by this, the Archaeological Museum of Istria organized expert-led tours for students from Istrian schools through the museum's permanent exhibition and significant archaeological sites, as well as lectures on local archaeology. This laid the foundation for the further development of educational programs that connect archaeological heritage with the learning process.
In 1969, the Propaganda and Cultural Service was established, and the position of curator-pedagogue was created. Through the long-term work of experts like Boris Baćić, Vesna Girardi-Jurkić, Ljubica Širec, and Giulia Codacci-Terlević (from 2004 onwards), this service contributed to the development of programs aimed at different visitor groups. A further step forward was made in 1985 with the establishment of the Pedagogical Service, which was renamed the Education Department in 2008. Its main goal became to bring the valuable archaeological heritage and museum materials closer to the public through projects on the theme of archaeology, expert-led tours, lectures, and workshops.
At the end of 2024, the Education Department was renamed the Department of Education. The results of the Department's projects are regularly presented through exhibitions. Each exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue in which the creation process and the project's results are detailed. This systematic approach, including valuable collaboration with the local community, makes the Archaeological Museum of Istria a unique meeting place of the past and present.
