The Museum of Broken Relationships is an attraction in Dubrovnik, on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. It is a museum of personal objects, each one donated by someone who has been through the end of a relationship, and each one displayed with the story that explains what it meant.
What you will see
The collection is made up of ordinary, everyday things rather than works of art: keepsakes, gifts and belongings that once carried weight between two people. What gives each item its place is the short account attached to it. Read a few and the mix of humour and sadness becomes clear, which is why the museum is often described as both quirky and emotionally moving.
- Personal objects donated by former partners, each on display with its story
- Short written accounts that explain why the object was kept, given up or passed on
- A reflective, intimate atmosphere rather than a lecture or a timeline
What kind of visit it makes
This is a visit of an hour or so, best suited to anyone curious about how people tell the stories of their own lives. It works as a change of pace from Dubrovnik's historic stone streets and sea views, and it suits travellers who like museums with a personal voice. Going in with an open mind helps, as the exhibits are more affecting than you might expect.
Around the museum
The museum sits in Dubrovnik, a walled coastal city that offers the old town, the city walls and the harbour, all within easy walking distance of one another. Plan your visit so the museum fits between other stops, and leave time to wander the old town afterwards.