Split travel guide
Ivan Meštrović Gallery & Kaštilac Art Guide
Croatia's best-known sculptor built a villa by the sea below Marjan, and today it is one of the calmest, most rewarding hours you can spend in Split. This page covers what you'll see at the Meštrović Gallery and at Kaštilac nearby, what a ticket costs, when it is open and how to get there.
While figuring out your gallery visit is a critical piece of the puzzle, you will need to plan the rest of your itinerary, dining slots and sightseeing routes. Before you set out, make sure to read our definitive Split travel guide to map out your entire stay.
The Meštrović Gallery at a glance
| Gallery | Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 46, below Marjan on the coast road |
|---|---|
| Kaštilac (Crikvine) | Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 39, a short walk away |
| Open | Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays and public holidays |
| Adult ticket | €12, for both the Gallery and Kaštilac |
| Family ticket | €20 |
| Time | 1 - 2 hours |
| Getting there | About 30 minutes on foot along the coast from the Riva |
Prices and opening days checked in October 2026 on the Meštrović Museums site. Its English and Croatian pages give different opening times, so check the hours for your day before you go. The Croatian page also says visits to Kaštilac should be announced at the Gallery.
Who was Ivan Meštrović?
Ivan Meštrović is Croatia's best-known sculptor. You have probably already met his work in Split: the giant bronze of Gregory of Nin outside the palace's Golden Gate is his, and so is the toe everyone rubs for luck.
He built this villa below Marjan as his summer home, and the house, its rooms and garden now show his work where he meant to live with it.
Inside the gallery
His bronzes and marbles fill the rooms and the sea-facing garden. It is a quiet place, rarely crowded, with the Adriatic behind the sculptures.
- The garden: sculptures among the trees with the sea beyond; leave time to sit.
- The rooms: marble figures and bronze busts in the house where he lived.
- Photos: ask at the desk about taking pictures inside.
Kaštilac and the wooden panels
The same ticket covers Kaštilac (also called Crikvine), a short walk along the coast road. Its chapel holds Meštrović's carved wooden panels of the life of Christ, one of his most moving works.
Fit it into your day
- A Marjan afternoon: walk Marjan in the morning, swim at Kašjuni, then visit the gallery and Kaštilac on the way back along the coast.
- On a rainy day: it is one of the best indoor options; see our rainy day guide.
- Staying nearby: Meje, the leafy area around the gallery, is one of the calmest places to stay; see where to stay in Split.
- Mondays: both sites are closed, so plan around it.
What to plan next for your trip
Once you have sorted out your gallery visit, it's time to explore the rest of Dalmatia - Split. If you want a swim nearby, read our guide to Kašjuni beach. For the walk above the gallery, see Marjan hill.