Proto-Slavic mythology is the main theme of our new permanent exhibition! In the mythical area at the foot of Učka, the House of the World Tree Interpretation Center has opened its doors to all those eager to explore this ancient divine world. What interactive experiences await you?
The Context of Creation
The House of the World Tree is part of a unique heritage network unified under the umbrella of the Ecomuseum Mošćenička Draga. As early as 2013, we established the values of sustainability and participation within the ecomuseum, aiming primarily to involve residents in celebrating our shared heritage. Following a decade of dedicated efforts by the Municipality of Mošćenička Draga and its ecomuseum, the House of the World Tree has finally opened its doors to the public, unveiling perspectives and insights into the ancient myth of the coexistence of man and nature.
Shaped Experiences
The exhibition’s central motif, housed in a renovated rural stone house, is a monumental model of the World Tree symbolizing the Proto-Slavic cosmos. Spanning two floors, the model of the World Tree guides you to meet the deities of Proto-Slavic mythology, uncovering the secrets of their realms and their influence on human life.
On the ground floor, you can literally catch a god by his beard and meet the transformative powers of the god of the underworld, Veles. In the world of humans, you will encounter barba Vinko from the surrounding Mošćenice, who will introduce you to the traditional way of life through the seasons, as well as the local flora and fauna, which represented manifestations of the gods to our Proto-Slavic ancestors.
As you ascend to the upper floor, the trunk of the world tree transforms into a magnificent canopy where the deities of the Proto-Slavic myths reside. Here, you will learn why the battle between Perun and Veles is constant and necessary, meet the main actors of the divine wedding, and discover how Proto-Slavic beliefs blend into Christianity. At the end of the journey with the wondrous tree, you will discover how Proto-Slavic beliefs have been preserved to this day and what mythical stories other sites of Proto-Slavic heritage in Croatia hold.
The House of the World Tree is a powerful reminder of the resilience of humanity’s heritage. Even without written sources, the messages of our Proto-Slavic ancestors about the divine nature reach us even after more than a thousand years. We want every visitor, after visiting this center, to experience this wondrous landscape with new eyes; the eyes of those who lived here before us, with whom nature connects us more than we are aware of.
Client
Municipality of Mošćenička Draga
Authors of the permanent exhibition
The Main Museological Concept of the Permanent Exhibition
Muze d.o.o.
Exhibition design – Museum Graphic and Product Design
Rašić + Vrabec d.o.o.
Expert Associates on the Permanent Exhibition
Multimeda System
Edin Karamehmedović, Irena Opsenica
Contractor and Furnishing
Accessus d.o.o.
Lighting
Ortoforma d.o.o.
Ilustrations
Ivan Gregov, Dragan Kordić
Scenography
Armarion
Photos of the exhibition:
Bosnić+Dorotić
