Antun Augustinčić Gallery

The Antun Augustinčić Gallery in Klanjec is dedicated to one of the best-known Croatian sculptors of the 20th century, and it stands in the small town in Zagorje where he was born. Antun Augustinčić was born in 1900 in Klanjec, in the hills near the Slovenian border, and he became a leading figure in Croatian public art, working in Zagreb and Paris and creating monuments that stand in many places. He is most famous internationally for the Peace Monument that stands in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York, a bronze work given by Yugoslavia to the organisation in the early 1950s. The gallery in his birthplace was established in 1970, during his lifetime, and it is one of the main cultural attractions of the town.

The collection presents his career through sculpture in bronze, stone and plaster, including life-size figures, busts of political and cultural figures and studies for his monuments. His style is rooted in the classical tradition but is full of movement and feeling, and he is known for a strong attention to the human body, particularly the torso, which appears in many of his works. Visitors can see his portraits, his monumental figures and smaller pieces that show how he developed his ideas. The outdoor sculpture garden is a pleasant addition, with works placed among lawns and trees, so that the sculptures can be seen in natural light, and the calm setting suits quiet looking. A work dedicated to the Croatian national anthem stands in the town, and the monument is close to the gallery.

Curators offer tours and presentations that explain his techniques, his commissions and his place in the story of Croatian art, and these can deepen the visit considerably. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with hours that vary by season, and it is closed on Mondays and on certain public holidays. Admission fees are modest, with reduced rates for children, students, pensioners and families, and groups can arrange discounts. It is wise to check the current times and prices on the official website, since they change from year to year.

Klanjec has other sights worth adding to a visit. The ruins of Cesargrad, a medieval castle above the town, offer a short climb and views over the valley, and the small old centre has a Franciscan monastery and a pleasant square. The Zagorje region around Klanjec has vineyards, manors and thermal spas, and the town is close to the Slovenian border.

The gallery suits art lovers, school groups and anyone who enjoys a quiet cultural stop. Allow one to two hours, and combine it with a stroll through the town and a visit to the castle ruins.