A museum, one of the most unique ones in the world, can be found in the centre of Zagreb's old Upper Town. Presenting The Museum of Broken Relationships, which gives precedence to the affective and emotional nature of things. The museum takes a closer look at interpersonal relationships, grief, and recovery. It invites visitors to consider, ponder and dwell over the intricacies of love and grief by transforming individual tragedies into a shared experience through personal artefacts and narratives.
Following the conclusion of their four-year romance, Croatian artists Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić came up with the idea for this offbeat museum in Zagreb, Croatia. What started off as a whimsical notion—to make room for the remains of broken relationships—became a significant undertaking. They started a travelling exhibition in 2006 with donated objects that represented strained bonds. In 2010, a permanent museum was established in Zagreb as a result of the tremendous response. The museum won the 2011 Kenneth Hudson Award for Europe's Most Innovative Museum for its creative approach.
Photographs, letters, clothes, and even an axe are among the commonplace items that a visitor may find on display at the museum. Each of these are placed with a personal story attached. These anonymously dedicated objects from all across the world capture the feelings associated with previous relationships. The stories provide a complex look at the human experience of love and separation, ranging from heartbreaking to amusing. People who are keen to share their stories and achieve closure are contributing to the collection, which keeps expanding.
Visitors frequently refer to the museum as an emotional rollercoaster. Ordinary items and meaningful tales are juxtaposed to powerful effect, inspiring empathy and introspection. The design of the museum promotes an individual experience, enabling visitors to interact with the displays at their own speed. Since it affirms one's own emotions and promotes a sense of humanity, many people find the experience to be cathartic.
In addition to Zagreb, the Museum of Broken Relationships has held travelling exhibitions in Argentina, Germany, and the US, among other places. By allowing local communities to participate, these shows guarantee a varied and dynamic collection. The museum's idea has sparked similar projects around the world, demonstrating the theme's universality and cultural appeal.
On June 4, 2016, the Museum of Broken Relationships also opened to the public in Los Angeles, situated in the centre of Hollywood. This outpost included 30 newly donated local pieces in addition to about 70 original items from the Croatian collection. On November 2017, the Los Angeles store was closed.
The Museum of Broken Relationships also made its debut in Southeast Asia in November 2024 when it established a second permanent location in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The museum's ongoing dedication to recording and examining the many and universal experiences of human connections is reflected in this extension.
Address: Ćirilometodska 2, Zagreb, Croatia
Timings:
Summer (June 1 - September 30): Daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Winter (October 1- May 31): Daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Cost: HRK 40 (approximately INR 500) for adults and HRK 30 (approximately INR 380) for children, seniors and people with disabilities.
How To Get There:
By Foot: The museum is centrally situated and can be easily reached on foot from Ban Jelačić Square, Zagreb's main square. It's also a short walk from the Gornji Grad funicular station, which connects the Lower and Upper Towns.
By Bus: Several bus lines serve the area, with the nearest stops being Habdelićeva (approximately a three-minute walk) and Kaptol (about a nine-minute walk).
By Tram: Tram lines 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 also pass nearby, with the Trg Josipa Jelačića station just a six-minute walk away.
Nearby Places to See: Just steps away is St. Mark’s Square, home to the iconic St. Mark’s Church with its colourful tiled roof, as well as the Croatian Parliament. Art lovers can visit the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery, housed in a former Jesuit monastery, or the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art, which showcases vibrant works by self-taught artists. A short walk away is the Zagreb Cathedral, a neo-Gothic masterpiece and the tallest building in Croatia, and Dolac Market, a bustling open-air marketplace offering local produce and crafts. Also nearby is the Archaeological Museum, which houses over 450,000 artifacts including the world’s longest Etruscan text.
Visa: Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Croatia, as it is now part of the Schengen Area (since January 1, 2023). Apply through VFS Global in India for a short-stay Type C visa, valid for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Key requirements include a valid passport, travel insurance, accommodation proof, return flight tickets, and financial documents.