The Collection of Heartbreak: A Museum of Love Lost

Have you ever clung onto an object, whether it’s a teddy bear, a sketch, or a quirky trinket, simply because it held a cherished memory? Over in Croatia, there exists a museum dedicated to precisely these kinds of items – the Museum of Broken Relationships. This extraordinary place is a testament to the emotional potency of physical objects and their capacity to aid in healing and connection.

The concept for this museum was conceived by Croatian artist Dražen Grubišić, who grappled with what to do with a small wind-up bunny that held countless memories of travels with his ex-girlfriend. From this existential quandary, the idea for the Museum of Broken Relationships sprouted. Alongside film producer Olinka Vištica, they began to gather objects of heartbreak from friends, family, and strangers, unsure of what to expect. To their amazement, the diverse tales and items they received were both enthralling and heart-rending.

Fast forward to the present day, and the museum’s collection has expanded to approximately 4,600 objects, each accompanied by its own anonymous story of lost love. While many of the items are tied to romantic relationships, there are also anecdotes of severed friendships, forsaken homelands, and even allergies that forced individuals to part with particular foods. For those who donate these items, it’s a means to release the emotional baggage connected to their past and move forward.

Visitors to the museum are met with a plethora of items, each recounting a unique story of love and loss – from a “toaster of vindication” kept after a breakup, to the unsettling yet intriguing “An Exe Axe” used for furniture therapy. Amidst these tales, there are also heart-rending stories such as a postcard from a 70-year-old woman who received it from a neighbour’s son as a teenager, only for the young man to tragically lose his life in a car accident due to his unrequited love for her.

What is particularly striking about the museum is its ability to touch upon universal themes of human experience. The unfiltered honesty and vulnerability found within its walls compel visitors to reflect on their own experiences and forge deeper connections with others. It’s a place where people feel secure in sharing their stories and unburdening themselves of painful memories.

But the Museum of Broken Relationships is not just about the past – it also mirrors the world we inhabit today. The stories housed within its walls capture the subtleties of societal history, documenting how events like war and the Covid-19 pandemic have impacted our connections with others. It serves as a reminder that our relationships, whether romantic or otherwise, are profoundly influenced by the ebb and flow of the world around us.

In a world where physical objects are becoming less prevalent and digital communication reigns supreme, the museum serves as a haven to appreciate the emotional power of tangible items. According to Grubišić, physical objects carry a different kind of emotional weight, one that necessitates a deeper level of connection. And with younger generations gravitating towards analogue mediums like vinyl and film cameras, it’s clear that there’s a nostalgic pull towards these tangible, authentic remnants of our past.

Running a museum filled with the remnants of broken relationships has taught Grubišić that, ultimately, there’s so much about relationships that we still don’t understand. What the museum does showcase, however, is the incredible creativity displayed by people in love – the lengths they are willing to go to in order to bring joy and laughter to their beloved, even if those relationships eventually come to an end.

The Museum of Broken Relationships is more than just a collection of heartbreak; it’s a celebration of human resilience and a tribute to the enduring power of love, even in its absence. And whether you’ve experienced heartbreak or not, a visit to this museum will undoubtedly leave you with a newfound appreciation for the unique and sometimes bittersweet journey of human relationships.