What an unusual name for an unusual place! The Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb is dedicated to relationships that end badly.
The exhibition, initiated by two artists as a joke, started as a travelling exhibition and finally settled in the Croatian capital. After a world tour and more than 200,000 visitors, the creators put down their suitcases and objects from their collection in the upper town of Zagreb.
The museum is popular with vacationers, despite being shunned by Croatians. It was awarded the Kenneth Hudson Prize for the most innovative museum in Europe in 2011.
The museum features sentimental objects and testimonies of disappointed lovers. The collection mainly comes from donations by one of the spouses of separated couples. As such, there is no major historical or cultural interest. However, the museum is thought-provoking and forces one to take a critical look at human relationships. The stories surrounding the objects show how events and context (cultural, political, social) play an important role in the love life and survival of couples.
The objects on display are often anecdotal and mundane, but they all tell a story that takes us into the intimacy of a couple. They are usually fascinating, moving and leave no one indifferent… Somehow, they allow us to reflect on our own stories and identify with the people and objects that bring back memories.
The museum is divided into three parts:
- The first one includes all the physical objects with a small explanation note to better understand the context;
- The second is an exhibition of virtual objects. This section contains some physical objects that couldn’t be displayed in the previous section due to lack of space, but also new pieces given by visitors;
- Finally, the last part is a confessional where visitors can share their experiences and leave new objects and messages in a more intimate space.
More information : official website
Address: Ćirilometodska 2, 10000 Zagreb
Open: every day