When a relationship ends, people are often left behind with things that belonged to the other person or things that remind them of the story that was. We usually discard, donate, or destroy these things. But did you know there is a museum in Croatia that curates things that tell a story about heartbreak and broken relationships? Well, the Museum of Broken Relationships exhibits a diverse collection of objects that represent a personal story of a past relationship, and here’s all you need to know about it.
A Museum That Curates Broken Relationships
Founded by artists Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić, the Museum of Broken Relationships began as a travelling exhibition exploring the remnants and emotional aftermath of failed relationships. Real stories of heartbreak contribute to each display here and give a broader narrative of human emotional experiences.
The museum’s exhibits have been curated through community contributions. As per reports, there are approximately 3,500 objects donated by individuals from around the world and it is still growing. Each item on display at the Museum of Broken Relationships is a symbolic memento of a past relationship, accompanied by an anonymous story from the donor that you can read on the information cards beside the items.
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How Museum Of Broken Relationships Came Into Being
It was established in 2010 and was born out of a joke that Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić made after their breakup in 2003. After their four-year relationship ended, they jokingly suggested creating a museum to preserve the personal items left behind. A couple of years later, Grubišić revisited the idea seriously and reached out to Vištica.
The duo then began collecting breakup mementoes from friends, and the collection soon took shape. In 2006, it was publicly exhibited for the first time at the Glyptotheque Zagreb during the 41st Zagreb Salon. Between 2006 and 2010, the collection became a travelling exhibition that was seen by more than 200,000 visitors. It also gathered new items donated by members of the public during this time.
After failing to secure support from the Croatian Ministry of Culture for a permanent home, Vištica and Grubišić decided to invest privately and rented a 3,200 sq ft space in Zagreb’s historic Upper Town. In October 2010, the Museum of Broken Relationships became the city’s first privately owned museum.
It quickly gained popularity, especially among international tourists, thanks to its unique theme and the convenience of being open seven days a week, something you won’t see in most other museums in Zagreb.
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Why Should You Visit?
The Museum of Broken Relationships offers a deeply human and emotionally resonant experience that goes beyond traditional museum visits. Reading about others’ relationships and stories can offer comfort, healing, or even closure for one’s own experiences.
Unlike traditional art or history museums, this museum curates donated personal items from failed relationships and even provides a rare glimpse into the intimate lives of strangers, which is quite unique!
If you wish to do something off-beat and have an experience like none other, then this museum should be on your Croatia itinerary.
Where: Ćirilometodska ul. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
When: 9 AM – 10 AM
Entry: €7
Cover Image Courtesy: website/brokenships
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