Opening hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-18:00
Opening hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-18:00
The living bury the dead with the belief that death is not the end but the beginning of life in another unknown, but promised world. What the deceased, their body or soul needed after death in the first four centuries is clearly visible through the items put inside the graves. Some 2,400 burial places have been found in the Zadar necropolis. Thousands of coins, candlesticks, glass and ceramic utensils, jewellery, toiletries and medical equipment placed in the graves offers a glimpse into the secret world of folk beliefs. Only the bones and the grave goods remain, but the soul has found its peace in a world as immaterial as the soul itself.
A coin was placed in the grave because of the belief that the deceased would be transported across the river Styx, which gives immortality, by the eternally old boatman Charon. The deceased was also given a lamp as it's flickering light would show the departing soul the way. The original purpose these objects had in everyday life was no longer valid. It remains unclear whether they served their purpose in the grave. We do not know how long the light illuminated the road, but it is clear that the boatman did not take the coin for the transport.
A silver coin with the representation of Alexander Severus (222-235), found in the grave 100 at Relja in 2005. First half of the 3rd century. Inv. br. A11767.
A ceramic lamp, on the disc there is a representation of a man sitting, next to him are a monkey, a ladder and a cat. The lamp was found in the cremation grave 211 ate the site Relja in 2005. Middle of the 1st century. Inv. no. A11234.
