Mimara Museum

About

The Mimara Museum in Zagreb is one of Croatia’s most prominent art institutions, housing an eclectic collection donated by collector Ante Topić Mimara and his wife Wiltrud. Opened in 1987 and located in a grand neo-Renaissance building on Roosevelt Square, the museum features over 3,750 works spanning three millennia. Its diverse holdings include European masterpieces by artists such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Goya, and Renoir, alongside ancient artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and the Far East. Visitors can explore collections of glassware, icons, textiles, and sculptures, as well as rare jade and ivory objects from Asia. Despite occasional controversy over the authenticity of some pieces, the museum remains a vital cultural venue and research center. The building itself, a former 19th-century school, adds architectural gravitas to the experience. Though currently closed for renovation, the Mimara Museum continues to engage the public through virtual exhibitions and remains a cornerstone of Zagreb’s artistic heritage.

Zagreb Croatia

Location

The Mimara Museum is located at Roosevelt Square 5 (Rooseveltov trg 5), just west of Zagreb’s city center and about a ten-minute walk from Ban Jelačić Square, the city’s main plaza. The museum stands out for its neo-Renaissance architecture and houses one of the largest private art collections in Croatia, featuring over 3,700 works donated by Ante Topić Mimara, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts by masters such as Rembrandt, Renoir, and Caravaggio. The Mimara Museum is situated on the so-called “Green Horseshoe,” a series of parks and cultural institutions that define much of central Zagreb’s urban landscape. Directly adjacent to the museum is the Croatian National Theatre, a landmark of Zagreb’s cultural scene, known for its grand architecture and diverse performances. The nearby Museum of Arts and Crafts is another significant institution, specializing in applied arts and design. Just a short walk away is the historic building of the University of Zagreb, as well as several green spaces like Marshal Tito Square, which is often the site of public events and gatherings.