Faust Vrančić – Machinae novae

The exhibition of the Technical Museum Nikola Tesla "Faust Vrančić - Machinae novae" will open this Friday, September 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Kontrapogon TUP space in Dubrovnik. The exhibition is organized by the Dubrovnik Libraries, UTD Ragusa and the Technical Museum Nikola Tesla. The exhibition is dedicated to Faust Vrančić, one of the most important Croatian Renaissance innovators, constructors and technical writers. The centerpiece of the exhibition is his monumental work Machinae novae (New Machines), published in Venice in 1615. In this book, Vrančić depicted 56 different devices and technical constructions in 49 etchings, accompanied by descriptions in several languages. Among the constructions shown are bridges, mills, presses and various devices for lifting loads, and the depiction of a parachute, or "flying man" (Homo volans), is particularly famous. The exhibition presents Vrančić's ideas through enlarged views of illustrations from Machinae novae, models made according to his designs, video projections and other exhibition materials. A special place is given to books and publications related to Vrančić and his work, which highlights the importance of his written legacy and books as a means of disseminating technical knowledge. Visitors will thus be able to learn not only about Vrančić's constructions and inventions, but also the way in which he recorded, presented and conveyed his technical ideas to a European audience. The exhibition connects the history of technology, science, culture and the history of books and shows how innovative Vrančić's ideas were for their time. Educational programmes, workshops, lectures and organised tours are planned for the duration of the exhibition, with a special emphasis on primary and secondary school students. The aim is to introduce young people to Vrančić's life and work, the history of technical heritage and to stimulate interest in science, technology and creative thinking. The educational program will be implemented in collaboration with the Technical Museum Nikola Tesla, Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik, Center for Children, Youth and Family Dubrovnik, and the The City of Dubrovnik Association of Technical Culture. The exhibition's visit to Dubrovnik is the result of the collaboration between the Dubrovnik Libraries, the Ragusa Technical University, and the Technical Museum Nikola Tesla, and represents an opportunity to bring the valuable Croatian scientific and technical heritage closer to the Dubrovnik audience and visitors to the city.