Yesterday in Murter, the Amphorarium project, the Centre for Culture and Heritage Interpretation of the island of Murter, was presented, and with the signing of the works contract between the Municipality of Murter-Kornati and the contractor, the project has entered its key phase of implementation.
Yesterday in Murter, people talked not only about a project, but about an idea that has developed over the years together with the place and its people. The presentation of the Amphorarium brought together everyone who took part in its creation, from the first thoughts to today's implementation phase.
The project was presented through its architectural design, the fit-out concept and the way it will live in the space, but also through what really carries it – the community's relationship with its own heritage. It is this very relationship that shaped the concept of the centre.
A centre that opens up space for the island's development and raises the quality of life of the local community
The mayor of the Municipality of Murter-Kornati, Šime Ježina, placed the project in the wider context of the municipality's development, as well as the everyday life of its residents.
He pointed out that the Amphorarium is an important step forward in development, especially in terms of strengthening off-season content and increasing Murter's visibility on the cultural and tourist map. He sees the project as a space that connects the local community with the island's cultural heritage, a place for meeting, education and creation, primarily for the people who live on the island, but also for everyone who wants to get to know Murter better.
A place for both locals and visitors
Project manager Mira Lepur highlighted the dual role of the Amphorarium, which also defines its purpose.
On the one hand, it is a cultural centre and a space for the local community, intended for gatherings, the work of associations and events held at the centre, complementing existing events such as Murterske bake, Latinsko idro and Our Lady of Tarac, as well as the themes of olive growing, archaeology and gastronomy specific to Murter.
On the other hand, the Amphorarium acts as an interpretation centre for visitors, presenting Murter's history, customs and way of life in a contemporary way through the story of amphorae.
Its added value lies precisely in the universal symbol of the amphora. Here the amphora is not just an archaeological object, but content. Throughout history it carried what made up life in the Mediterranean, including Murter: oil, wine, food and knowledge. The Amphorarium, as that which is contained in the amphora, in this case represents Murter as a whole – its people, their work and their heritage.
The project is worth around EUR 4.5 million, around 85 percent of which comes from EU funds. Implementation lasts a total of 25 months, and completion is expected within the next year.
The Amphorarium grew out of Murter
How the project came about was explained by Luka Ježina, coordinator of the Municipality of Murter-Kornati team, who pointed out that it was a process that developed through the cooperation of many stakeholders, from councillors and associations to experts and the local community.
He stressed that the Amphorarium did not arise as an isolated idea, but from three key features that make Murter unique, not only in Croatia but beyond. Its uniqueness and development potential lie precisely in how they are interconnected.
The first is Murter's unique archipelago, with almost 200 islands and more than 100 shoals dangerous for ships. This is an area that has shaped people's way of life throughout history, feeding them but also challenging them, leaving behind a rich seabed full of shipwrecks, amphorae and traces of the past.
The second feature follows naturally: Colentum, the ancient town at the heart of today's Murter, which bears witness to a long continuity of life, trade and navigation. Today this story continues through the archaeological beach as a place for experiencing heritage.
The third feature is the amphora, the universal symbol of the Mediterranean that connects the sea, the land, work and everyday life. It represents the content of life – what was produced, carried and shared – and the very name Amphorarium comes from this meaning.
As he pointed out, it is precisely the combination of the sea, heritage and the content of life that makes Murter unique. These three features are not separate but form a whole, and the centre itself has been designed on this connection, as a space that brings them together and interprets them.
A project recognised at European level
The value of the project has also been recognised at European level, as Mira Lepur explained.
The project received an award from the European Commission under the New European Bauhaus initiative, which recognises projects that successfully combine sustainability, aesthetics and inclusiveness.
Among more than 350 projects submitted from all over Europe, the Amphorarium was selected as one of the 30 best, confirming the quality of a concept that connects space, people and way of life.
Murter's century-old cistern and a new Mediterranean garden as the central attractions of the Amphorarium
Lead designer Damir Lasinović stressed that this is a complex and demanding project whose central element is the restoration of the old cistern from 1905, built in Austro-Hungarian times, giving this neglected space new value and a new purpose.
The building, covering around 600 square metres, extends over three levels, with a strong connection between indoor and outdoor space and a planned Mediterranean square as a place for gatherings and events.
Moving through the space has been designed as an experience, including descending into an underground section that simulates diving under the sea.
A digital “Heart of Murter” connecting the whole island
Fit-out manager Jelena Vulić Valentić stressed that the centre will be equipped with modern multimedia and technological solutions, including virtual and interactive content, but also a concept that goes a step further.
At the heart of the exhibition is the idea of the “heart of Murter”, a digital and interpretation platform that will not keep visitors only within the centre, but will direct them to other locations on the island.
In this way, the Amphorarium becomes the starting point for experiencing the whole of Murter, as well as a platform the local community can build on, developing its own content and initiatives that grow out of the identity of the place.
Contract signed, construction to begin
At the end of the event, the contract was signed between mayor Šime Ježina and representatives of the company Reliance, formally moving the project into the construction phase, with works expected to start soon.
To the sounds of Murter…
The event closed with a performance by Vedranko Šikić Balara and the klapa Bunari, singing “Murteru moj” (My Murter). At that moment the whole story reached its natural conclusion — bathed in the sounds of Murter, which best describe the project itself and the connection between the place, the people and life on the island.