A museum dedicated to modern and local art, the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery (GKD) is one of Zagreb‘s most popular museums. Opened in 1982, it houses 6 permanent collections and up to 30 exhibitions each year.
As its name suggests, it is a leading museum and cultural centre, not an art gallery. Inside, visitors can enjoy works by local artists (from Croatia and neighbouring countries), both classic and more recent, as well as artists and works of art from all over the world – but always with a link to Croatia. Several hundred thousand visitors come here every year.
Exhibitions come thick and fast throughout the year, and for Zagreb’s residents, there are new discoveries to be admired almost every fortnight. For holidaymakers, the permanent collections are well worth the price of admission, and the temporary exhibitions are a welcome and unexpected extra.
The museum has been in existence since the early 1980s. It was then called Muzejski prostor (Museum Space) and was used to display the collections of controversial art collector Ante Topić Mimara. Following the departure of the philanthropist’s works, the aim was to bring together the various protagonists of art in Croatia, and to promote and give visibility to artists. The museum’s definitive name comes from the Croatian-born illuminator Klović (Giulio Clovio), who worked in Italy during the Renaissance.
A number of excellent exhibitions gave the museum the impetus it needed to become a national reference point, and introduced art to the Croatian public, which at the time was unfamiliar with all its variations: Chinese art, treasures from the country’s churches, comic strips, contemporary Croatian and international artists, Croatian and German expressionism, the Russian avant-garde, etc. Today, the cultural centre has succeeded in its challenge, extending its influence beyond the country’s borders and offering a wide range of activities with art as a common denominator.
Housed in an 18th-century Jesuit monastery in the upper town of Zagreb, the museum and cultural centre has 3 floors and over 40 rooms. The nearby Lotrščak Tower has been annexed to the museum and also houses works of art. The other key art museum, the Mimara, has since become independent, and together with the MSU and HMNU, they form the essential art duo in Zagreb.
For visitors, the museum is very well placed in the Gradec district, with the funicular railway not far away and the capital’s other tourist attractions, museums and heritage highlights.
Klovićevi Dvori Museum: practical information
Allow 1 to 2 hours to enjoy the exhibition in peace. Your experience of the museum will depend very much on the current exhibition (recency, reputation and subject).
The museum is not really suitable for children. There is no audioguide, and only key information on panels or leaflets (in English, depending on the exhibition). Guided tours are available (in Croatian and English by prior arrangement for groups).
- Address: Jezuitski trg 4, Zagreb
- Opening times: 11am to 7pm, Tuesday to Sunday
- Admission: €5 full price (to be purchased on site only). Please note that tickets are sold out after 6pm.
- Contact: info@gkd.hr and https://gkd.hr/
- No bags allowed (there is a cloakroom in the museum)