National Museum in Šabac | Museums in Serbia

National Museum in Šabac is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Šabac and its surroundings.

It was established in 1955 as a City Museum with a modest collection consisting of ethnological, archaeological, and artistic objects. The museum is located on the site of the former Šabac Polugymnasium, which later served as a hospital and military administration. The Šabac National Museum acquired its current name in 1963, and since then its collection has been expanding.

The first Permanent Exhibition was presented in 1963, followed by two more Permanent Exhibitions in 1971 and 1989.

Unlike the previous exhibitions that depict the history of the Šabac region and its surroundings, the "Šabac Time Machine: Heritage for the Future" Permanent Exhibition from 2015 exclusively showcases the past of Šabac and its inhabitants. Through the Permanent Exhibition, visitors have the opportunity to learn not only about the city's history but also about the identity of the people of Šabac and the influences of the past.

The exhibition presents the history and culture of this region spanning several thousand years and is divided into several sections:

• Time Machine
• Fortress
• Šabac of Lord Jevrem
• Little Paris
• Sufferings
• Šarenica

The Time Machine section showcases the paleontological period, prehistory, and ancient archaeology. The Fortress, as a symbol of the city, traces its development to the present day. Little Paris represents literature, education, economy, pharmacy, press, politics, social life, and visual arts, while the section Šabac of Lord Jevrem depicts the period from 1816 when Jevrem Obrenović, the brother of Prince Miloš, arrived in Šabac. Testimonies of the First and Second World Wars are preserved within the Sufferings section, while the Šarenica section represents local craftsmanship, spiritual culture, and fairs.

A special place within the Permanent Exhibition is dedicated to the archaeological artifacts of the Starčevo culture. The oldest exhibits belong to the Vinča culture and were found in the city center. The most attention is drawn to the standing female figures, richly decorated ceramic amphorae, and lids. The Bronze Age is represented by Celtic iron swords, goblets and cups, and an amber necklace. The Roman period is depicted through rustic villas, coins, vessels, and tools from that era, with special emphasis on the statues of Venus from the 2nd century and Mercury from the 3rd century.

The Permanent Exhibition follows the economic, cultural, and social progress of the city, especially in the last two centuries when Šabac began to develop the most.

The Museum building represents a unique architectural structure with its arched openings, vaults, and distinctive facade ornaments. Built in the style of Central European architecture, the museum building stands out for its authenticity and originality.

As one of the most significant tourist attractions in Šabac, the National Museum is open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.