Preskočite do glavnog sadržaja

NSK treasures presented as part of the “In the Beginning Was the Kingdom” exhibition programme

Das Deutsch Römisch Brevier (1518). NSK Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection.
“Das Deutsch Römisch Brevier” (Venice, 1518). NSK Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection.

The gems of Croatia’s cultural heritage preserved in the collections of the National and University Library in Zagreb (NSK) and featured as part of In the Beginning Was the Kingdom, a major exhibition commemorating 1,100 years of the Kingdom of Croatia, were presented in greater detail through a special exhibition programme.

After the opening address by the Library’s Director General Dr Ivanka Stričević, the most valuable NSK’s treasures displayed at the exhibition were presented by the Head of the NSK Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection Dr Irena Galić Bešker and the Collection’s classical philology expert Ivan Kapec. Vividly illustrating the exhibition’s thematic units and 11 centuries of Croatian cultural traditions, the presented items became part of NSK’s holdings throughout its 419-year long history.

NSK Director General Dr Ivanka Stričević
Ivan Kapec and the Head of the NSK Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection Dr Irena Galić Bešker
NSK Director General Dr Ivanka Stričević, classical philology expert from the NSK Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection Ivan Kapec and the Collection’s Head Dr Irena Galić Bešker.

The precious firsts of Croatian heritage

In addition to manuscript books and other exceptionally valuable items from the NSK book collection, the programme spotlighted other types of the Library’s resources, i.e. cartographic material (maps and atlases) and artwork on paper such as drawings, prints and comic stirp panels.

The programme participants had the opportunity to hear many interesting details about these treasures as well as about the pioneer works of Croatian culture. Presented as representative in this context were the first literary work in the Croatian language, first Croatian grammar, first Croatian epic with a theme from contemporary history and the first newspaper in Croatian. Also, a part of the programme presented the circumstances surrounding the first official use of the Croatian language in the Croatian Parliament.

Hosted by the Klovićevi dvori Gallery, the In the Beginning Was the Kingdom exhibition is on view by 15 February 2026.

Photo: © Sofija Klarin Zadravec, Karolina Tumbas / NSK