Layered legacies: Building the future on the knowledge of the past

This article explores the Croatian Coral Centre Zlarin (CCCZ) as a case study in ecological museology, tracing how coral serves as both ecological organism and cultural symbol. It examines the co-creative museum process engaging local traditions, global trade histories, and sustainability discourse. Through contemporary art, archival research, and community dialogue, the CCCZ reframes coral harvesting’s history as a platform for climate action, cultural memory, and participatory heritage-making. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, the article positions museums as transformative civic spaces where the past fosters ecological awareness, socio-cultural resilience, and new futures grounded in inherited knowledge and community solidarity.