Visiting the Museum of the City of Zagreb
The Museum of the City of Zagreb, or Muzej grada Zagreba in Croatian, is a primary stop for any trip to Zagreb. The institution chronicles how this small Croatian town gradually evolved into the modern, connected metropolis we see today. The collections are housed in the former Convent of the Poor Clares, a landmark site that served as the first school for girls in Croatia starting in 1646.
A collection of 74,000 art and historical pieces
Plan on spending several hours here to properly view the collection. The items on display trace nearly two millennia of development, ranging from prehistoric times to the modern era, ending in 1991. The period surrounding the Croatian War of Independence is represented, though the collection for those specific years is more modest.
Founded in 1907 by the Brothers of the Croatian Dragon, this institution has been active for over a century. The various exhibits illustrate the evolution of Croatian culture over time. Most of the displays focus on everyday life, including furniture, dishware, and jewelry. Since 1991, the museum has also maintained an archaeological section where visitors can view architectural fragments from St. Mark's Church and the city fortifications.
Learning about the origins of Zagreb
The Museum of the City of Zagreb features several detailed scale models. Two of these reconstruct the old settlements of Kaptol and Gradec, which merged to form Zagreb in 1840. The name Zagreb itself is much older, appearing in a document dating back to 1136.
Other notable collections to see inside the museum include a set of antique music boxes and the art collection of Tille Derieux.
I visited the Museum of the City of Zagreb pretty quickly because I did not have much time, but I found it very interesting. The various collections are rich and varied with many objects. Starting with this museum will allow you to better understand the history of Zagreb.