Theatre, Opera, Museum in Zagreb

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Theater

Theatergoers will find several venues in Zagreb where they can watch classic, experimental, and even children's theater. The most magnificent space to watch a play is in the Croatian National Theater, a late 19th-century neo-baroque building with red velvet seating, beautiful murals, and quaint theater boxes. This is the spot to watch classic plays, ballets, and operas.

Many neighborhoods also have their own community theaters that put on periodic performances and plays.

Theaters in Zagreb include:

Opera

The best place for opera is the Croatian National Theater in the city center. Though the stage also hosts ballet and drama performances, opera is scheduled several times a month.

All performances at the Croatian National Theater are very affordable, but tickets go quickly, so it's wise to book in advance. The most expensive seats in the house are 150 kunas.

Orchestra

The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra usually performs a couple of times per month and often hosts visiting musicians and conductors. The Zagreb Quartet is the oldest Croatian chamber ensemble, established in 1919.

Zagreb's largest concert hall is Lisinski, not far from the main train station. Lisinski hosts many different acts that perform various types of music. Orchestral performances are scheduled regularly.

Another excellent venue for classical music performances is the Croatian Music Institute, which hosts performances almost every evening.

During the summer months, there are frequent outdoor concerts. Check the Zagreb Tourist Board's event listings regularly to find out where they are.

Museums

There are a number of museums in Zagreb. It would take weeks to explore them all, and there is literally something for everyone. Some museums offer free entry one day each month, but this depends on the institution. Museums are generally closed on Mondays.

If you plan to visit several museums in a short amount of time, it might be worth it to purchase a Zagreb Card. (See the section "Discounts" for more information.) Once a year, usually in January, all of the museums in Croatia stay open late, organize special events, and offer free entry for a special event called Noc muzeja (Museum Night).

Here are just a few of the museums in Zagreb worth checking out:

Meštrovic Atelier
Address: Mletacka 8
Hours: Tues-Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat-Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: Adults 20 kunas/Students 10 kunas

The Meštrovic Atelier is the former home and studio of celebrated sculptor Ivan Meštrovic. Sculptures, drawings, and writings are on display. An intimate sculpture courtyard provides a peaceful place to stop and rest after a day of sightseeing.

Museum of Broken Relationships
Address: Cirilometodska 2
Summer hours: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Winter hours: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults 25 kunas/Students 20 kunas

This unique museum showcases the artifacts of relationships gone wrong, from love notes to trinkets picked up on romantic travels. A personal story accompanies each item, making for a fascinating display of love illustrated by material items.

Museum of Arts and Crafts
Address: Trg maršala Tita 10
Hours: Tues-Fri 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat-Sun 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Just across the street from the Croatian National Theater, the Museum of Arts and Crafts houses around 100,000 works of applied and fine art from the 14th to the 21st century. The collection includes furniture, glass, clocks, photography, and musical instruments.

Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: Avenija Dubrovnik 17
Hours: Tues-Sun 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: Adults 30 kunas/Students 15 kunas

In a new building just south of the Sava River in Novi Zagreb, the Museum of Contemporary Art houses some 12,000 works of art by Croatian and international artists. Most of the collection focuses on art produced after 1950. Highlights include the studio of sculptor Ivan Kožaric and site-specific slides by Carsten Höller that you can actually slide down.

Technical Museum
Address: Savska cesta 18
Hours: Tues-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: Adults 15 kunas/Students 10 kunas

The Technical Museum is home to an array of fascinating machines and inventions, such as vintage vehicles, a Dubrovnik tram from 1912, and a World War II submarine. Other highlights include a demonstration room containing exact replicas of scientist Nikola Tesla's inventions and a mock underground coal mine.

Zagreb City Museum
Address: Opaticka 20
Hours: Tues-Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: Adults 30 kunas/Students 20 kunas

The Zagreb City Museum tells the story of Croatia's capital city from prehistoric times until today. The chronological display takes visitors from archeological finds from the late Iron Age to the reconstruction of the Zagreb cathedral and beyond. Like the Museum of Broken Relationships and the Meštrovic Atelier, the Zagreb City Museum is located in scenic Upper Town.

Update 14/03/2016


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