In Zagreb’s Upper Town, the Museum of Broken Relationships pairs personal keepsakes with short accounts of the relationships they recall. The objects, donated by people around the world, range from letters and photographs to more unexpected mementos; their stories can be wry, tender or painful. The exhibition covers romantic break-ups as well as family and other relationships, so expect a mix of moods. Take your time with the captions, then pause at the museum café or leave a message in the visitor notebook.
Keepsakes with a story
The exhibition brings together objects donated by people whose relationships have ended. Each item is paired with a brief account of what it meant to its donor. Some are familiar keepsakes, such as letters, photographs and travel souvenirs; others are unusual objects that make more sense once you read the story beside them.
The collection is not limited to former romantic partners. Its accounts also touch on family and other relationships, giving the exhibition a wider emotional range than its name might suggest. The objects are anonymous donations from around the world, and the short texts let each person explain the connection in their own terms.
A collection that grew beyond Zagreb
The idea began with two artists, Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić, who were dividing their shared belongings after their relationship ended. They turned the idea of keeping mementos into an art project, inviting others to contribute objects linked to relationships that had run their course. The resulting travelling exhibition eventually found a permanent home in Zagreb’s Upper Town.
The collection has also travelled to venues abroad. Its Zagreb exhibition continues that original premise: a personal object, a short story and room for visitors to draw their own meaning from the pairing. The museum received the Kenneth Hudson Award from the European Museum Forum for innovation.
How to make time for the exhibition
The display is arranged so you can move through it at your own pace. Reading the captions is central to the visit, and the range of stories makes it worth slowing down at objects that catch your attention. Some accounts are funny; others are painful or unsettling. The exhibition does not keep to one emotional register, so take a pause if you need one.
Most visits take less than an hour, though a careful read can stretch the visit considerably. The museum has guidebooks in several languages, and QR-code translations are available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese. English and Croatian text accompanies the objects.
The café and gift shop
A café gives you somewhere to sit after the exhibition, with pastries and beer among the options mentioned for the venue. There is also a gift shop. If you want to carry the museum’s idea further, the visitor notebook gives you a place to leave a message of your own.
FAQ
How long does a visit to the Museum of Broken Relationships take?
A visit can take about half an hour, but reading the stories closely may keep you there for longer. Allow up to two hours if you want to take your time.
What is on display at the Museum of Broken Relationships?
It displays personal objects donated by people around the world, each paired with a short account of a relationship that ended. The stories include romantic, family and other relationships.
Are the exhibits available in English?
Yes. The objects have text in Croatian and English. Guidebooks and QR-code translations are also available in several other languages.
Can I leave something at the museum?
You can leave a message in the visitor notebook. The museum also accepts donations of objects connected to relationships that have ended.
