Silletto Prize Winner 2018
BETINA MUSEUM OF WOODEN SHIPBUILDING is the winner of the European Museum of the Year Award Silletto Prize 2018. European Museum Forum has awarded the Museum as the best example of a successful model of relations between museum, community and local enterprises. Located in the heart of the old village of Betina the Museum tells the story of a long-lasting tradition of wooden shipbuilding in Betina, the development of craftsmanship and related local customs described and presented through the ethnographic and technical point of view in the Museum’s Permanent Exhibition. The central gallery with its sailing equipment offers quite a simbolic view to what wooden shipbuilding means today to a large number of heritage lovers and competitors in traditional lateen sail regattas.
the story of the museum The story of the Museum has been enriched with modern media tools that allow the visitor a vivid insight into the life on the island as it used to be. Displayed within the 3D technology you are welcomed to see the Betina gajeta construction design where you will find 49 construction parts under their local names. Play the Betina shipbuilder 3D game and place the boat parts in the correct way. See what the boatbuilders say about their work. Watch the building of the boat from the very first part in a 2 minute time-lapse video animation at the Museum’s reception. unique souvenirs Find the perfect gift for your friends and family in our souvenir shop. Wooden souvenirs are handmade and inspired by Museum’s exhibition. They are produced locally, by purchasing them you support local manufacturers. The scale model of a Betina gajeta has won the gold medal as the Croatian Island Product souvenir of the year of the Šibenik County.
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Betina gajeta is a wooden boat between 5 and 8 meters in length and 2 and 2.60 meters in width, without a deck along the entire length of the boat. It has a more robust shape than Komiža falkuša or Korčula gajeta. Gajeta is a family boat by its dimensions, and all the crewmembers had to know how to navigate it. The boat made to fit all the needs of the people of Murter had to be, above all, a capable, safe and sturdy means of transport. The Betina shipbuilders managed to perfect this special boat and for those reasons the art of construction of the Betina gajeta has been protected as the intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. The context of the story is perfectly illustrated in the Betina Museum of Wooden Shipbuilding. You will get to know the Betina gajeta and see what makes her special in comparison to other similar types of boats.
cicibela has become a part of Croatian’s cultural heritage. Cicibela is a perfect example of the original type of Betina gajeta – flat keel and a straight frame, a firm and stable boat made to meet the islanders’ needs. On the top floor of the Museum you can see the construction design of the original type of Betina gajeta in the scale model of Cicibela. As one of the last existing gajetas of her kind, with the beauty of her construction and a very interesting life story, she is a true representative of our open - air museum.
Days of small wooden shipbuilding
events in front of the museum
Visiting Betina in August is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the programme of the Days of Small Wooden Shipbuilding. There are interesting lectures and presentations being held in the Museum, workshops, film screenings and different exhibitions promoting the maritime and local heritage, customs and traditions. The fleet of wooden boats equipped in a traditional way in Betina harbour makes a wonderful scenery to enjoy summer evenings.
workshops for children and adults
MUSEUM’S ENTRANCE TICKET is more than just a ticket – it’s also a souvenir for you to keep as a memory of your visit to the Museum. The ticket is inspired by shipbuilder’s measuring tool which was used in the old days only by the greatest masters of shipbuilding for drawing boat lines. Looks so simple, but it’s so relevant!
GAJETA excursions Sailing in a gajeta with a traditional lateen sail is a unique experience – try for yourself! Or, you can choose to row following the old laborers’ routes of the islanders. This trip is available by prior arrangement – feel free to contact us!
for the body and soul is a sailing regatta of wooden boats with a traditional lateen sail. You can enjoy the dynamic start of the regatta from the town centre. It’s usually held in August. Women’s rowing regatta palm & paddle
is held on the traditional festivity Dan brganje (Brganja Day), on the first Sunday in August. This regatta is one of the highlights of the summer in Betina. If you wish to participate, we suggest you form a team of 5 women rowers and contact us on time so we can find the boat for you. If rowing is not your personal choice, but you’d like to support this event, you can donate the funds to make a set of new gajeta oars – you can contact us in the Museum, or send an e-mail to: marketing@mbdb.hr for more information!
Ticket prices:
Adults: 30 kn Children under 7: free Pupils, students, seniors: 20 kn Expert guidance (by prior arrangement): 100 kn Group discount 20% (min 20 persons) Audio guide: English, German and Italian - free Expert guidance outside the Museum: (by prior arrangement): 200 kn opening hours:
June and September: Monday to Saturday: 09 –21 Closed on Sundays 1st October to 30th of April: Monday to Friday: 09 – 15 Saturday: 09 – 12 May: Monday to Saturday: 09 –12 and 17 - 20 July / August: 10 – 22, opened every day The Museum is closed on Sundays, holidays and national holidays. The Museum can be opened outside specified time by prior arrangement. Group visits outside of specified time need to be arranged at least 5 days earlier.
Vladimira Nazora 7, 22244 Betina TEL: +385 22 434 105 E-mail: muzej@mbdb.hr marketing@mbdb.hr Web: www.mbdb.hr Visit us on social networks!