What do a toaster, a wedding dress, and a garden gnome have in common? They are all part of the collection of the Museum of Broken Relationships, a unique and quirky museum in Zagreb, Croatia, that showcases the relics of love gone wrong.
The museum was founded by two artists, Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić, who broke up in 2006 and decided to create a space where people could donate their unwanted objects from past relationships. The idea was to offer a cathartic and creative way of dealing with the emotional baggage that often lingers after a breakup.
The museum has since received thousands of donations from all over the world, each accompanied by a story that explains the significance of the object and the relationship it represents. Some stories are funny, some are sad, some are bitter, some are hopeful. But they all share a common theme: the human desire to love and be loved, and the pain and joy that comes with it.
The museum is divided into several sections, such as “Rage and Fury”, “Farewell”, “Traces of Time”, and “Sweet Dreams”. Each section displays a variety of items, ranging from the mundane to the bizarre. For example, you can see a pair of fluffy handcuffs, a prosthetic leg, a bottle of tears, a hair dryer, a pair of jeans, and a glass horse. Some items are more personal, such as letters, photos, jewelry, and teddy bears.
The museum is not only a place to explore the stories of others, but also a place to reflect on your own experiences of love and loss. You can write your own confession on a wall, listen to breakup songs on headphones, or even donate your own object if you feel inspired. The museum also hosts events such as workshops, lectures, and performances that explore the topics of love, intimacy, and communication.
The Museum of Broken Relationships is not a typical museum. It is not about history or art or science. It is about emotions and memories and stories. It is about celebrating the diversity and complexity of human relationships. It is about finding humor and healing in the midst of heartbreak. It is about recognizing that we are not alone in our struggles and joys.
If you are looking for a different and memorable experience in Zagreb, you should definitely visit the Museum of Broken Relationships. You might laugh, you might cry, you might feel nostalgic or grateful or angry or hopeful. But you will surely leave with a new perspective on love and life.
