Museum of Ras in Novi Pazar | Museums of Serbia

From a modest collection to a complex museum - that's how the decades-long activity of the Ras Museum in Novi Pazar could be briefly described.

The City Museum of Novi Pazar was founded in 1953 and has carried its current name since January 1, 1987. In 2013, the Ras Museum was declared an institution of national importance and is one of the most significant cultural institutions in the interior of Serbia.

The museum in Novi Pazar preserves exhibits that testify to the cultures and civilizations of ancient times in this area. A stone axe from the Stone Age, Ottoman decorations, 19th-century gold embroidery, and the "Enigma" machine for sending encrypted messages from World War II are just some of the items that make this museum stand out, not only in Serbia but also in the region.

Prehistoric showcases, jewelry from the Bronze Age...

At the source of the Ibar River near Rožaje, a polished axe dating back to prehistoric times was found, making it the oldest item in the museum. The so-called prehistoric showcase also contains molds, spears, as well as the bones of cave foxes and bears.

The permanent exhibition of the museum is arranged chronologically and contains objects found at several archaeological sites on the Pešter Plateau, near Tutin, Sjenica, and Novi Pazar. Museum exhibits, tools, jewelry, coins, weapons, decorations, books, photographs, and newspaper clippings testify to the empires, cultures, and arts that intersected in this area.

Spears from the Iron Age and jewelry bear witness to the turbulent times of this region.

Misiraba, Enigma, Medjidies...

The Ras Museum houses a valuable example of "misiraba", a specific type of gold embroidery from this part of Serbia. "Misiraba" was worn on women's clothing prepared for young ladies and brides, and it was worn by women from both Christian and Muslim urban families.

The historical department of the museum attracts special attention.

A rarity among the exhibited items is the machine for encrypted data transmission from World War II, known as the "Enigma". It is believed that this machine reached these areas after the German occupation army withdrew from Greece. The famous machine was deciphered by English mathematician Alan Turing, thus altering the course of World War II.

Additionally, there is also a collection of decorations from Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid I, known as "medjidies."

The establishment of Novi Pazar is documented by a preserved document from 1455, while a letter from the Small Council of the Republic of Dubrovnik from 1461 testifies to the appointment of a consul in this city.

Half of the exhibition space is dedicated to the Sandžak region, allowing visitors to see what living spaces looked like in Novi Pazar at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The daily rooms, which have original furniture and objects, as well as details of an Orthodox and a Muslim family, evoke a different time.

The museum presents exhibits that depict clothing, food, and the culture of living in this area, as well as small objects that symbolized prestige in this region two centuries ago.

Authentic space and 5,800 museum exhibits...

The old city house of classical Ottoman architecture on Žitni Trg in the center of Novi Pazar reminds us of the rich culture and tradition of this part of Serbia. In the authentic yet cramped space of the Museum Ras, around 5,800 items are exhibited, including archaeology, numismatics, ethnology, history, contemporary art, and applied arts.

For all enthusiasts of the historical and cultural heritage of Sandžak and its surroundings, the museum is open on weekdays from 8am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. For group visits, it is necessary to schedule an appointment by phone or email.