Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb (must see)

Museum of Broken Relationships is one of Zagreb’s most distinctive cultural spaces, located in the Upper Town within the Baroque Kulmer Palace. Founded in 2010 by Croatian artists Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić, the museum grew out of a traveling collection inspired by the end of their own relationship.

It is dedicated to failed love relationships, preserving personal objects left behind by former partners, each accompanied by a brief, anonymous story. The institution's innovative approach was recognized globally in 2011, when it received the Kenneth Hudson Award for the most innovative museum in Europe.

The collection is made up almost entirely of donations from around the world. Everyday items—photographs, letters, messages, clothing, and more unusual objects—are presented as part of what the museum describes as a “material remains” layout, where each piece is linked to a specific time, place, and emotional context. Among the most famous items on display is an “ex-axe,” used by a donor to dismantle their former partner's furniture, illustrating the visceral nature of heartbreak.

Annotations by donors provide insight into each relationship, creating a sequence of personal narratives that range from humorous to deeply reflective. Due to limited exhibition space, some earlier contributions are archived and transferred to the museum’s virtual platform.

This virtual web museum extends the concept beyond the physical space, allowing registered users to upload their own items and stories and even share personal collections with others. Within the museum itself, visitors can engage more directly through an interactive area known as the “confessional,” where they may leave messages, record thoughts, or contribute their own experiences in a more private setting.