Ethnological collection

The ethnological collection is displayed in the Venetian-Gothic house on the outskirts of the town at former St. Peter’s Square, now known as Gramsci Square. This collection represents the material and spiritual culture of the Slovenian Istria, Brkini Hills, Čičarija and Upper Karst from the 17th century on.

The building’s ground floor displays settlement planning in a stone cultural landscape, constructional details, fireplace reconstruction and a Mediterranean kitchen. The exhibited items, which had been used for food preparation and consumption, belong to different cultures and reflect the trading with different countries and show the taste, fashion and home furnishing of the time.

A permanent exhibition called the Woven Past is displayed on the floor and shows the journey from a plant or an animal fibre to the finished product – clothes; the countryfolk and townsfolk were distinguished by their clothing until the end of the 19th century. On one side, the rural, mostly peasant national costumes that belonged to the people on the outskirts of the town are displayed, and on the other side, the clothes of the townsfolk of Koper, Izola and Piran of diverse ranks and professions.

The outer courtyard displays stonemason material and the shed displays a blacksmith – wheelwright workshop.