Museum of the City of Zagreb

The Museum of the City of Zagreb, usually called MGZ, is a Croatian museum housed in a former convent in the Upper Town, on Opatička street, a short walk from the Stone Gate and St. Mark's Church. The complex was built in the 17th century for the Poor Clares, an order of nuns, and later used for other purposes before it became a museum, and its thick walls, cloister and courtyard give the visit a quiet, historic setting. The museum itself was founded in 1907, and it is devoted to the story of Zagreb from earliest times to the present.

The exhibition is arranged as a walk through time. It begins with archaeological material, showing how people lived in the area in prehistory and in Roman times, and moves on to the medieval origins of Zagreb, in particular the two settlements that grew up on neighbouring hills: Gradec, the fortified town, and Kaptol, the seat of the bishop. For centuries the two communities were rivals, with separate governments and a stream between them, and they were united only in the 19th century. Rooms of documents, seals, weapons, costumes and furniture illustrate the development of the city, and the later floors show the Zagreb of the 19th and 20th centuries, with its rapid growth, new institutions and social change.

The museum is known for its imaginative use of display. There are models of the city at different periods, reconstructed interiors of a salon and a workshop, and multimedia presentations that bring the story to life, and many visitors enjoy seeing how Zagreb looked in old photographs and paintings. The collection of paintings, drawings and prints shows views of the city through the centuries, and the section on everyday life covers crafts, shops, schools, fashions and leisure. Temporary exhibitions deal with particular themes, and the museum also runs educational programmes for children.

Practical details change, so check the current opening hours and ticket prices on the museum's website or by phone. The museum is accessible to wheelchair users, and guided tours can be arranged on request. A visit takes one to two hours. Taking photographs may be restricted in some rooms, so look for signs.

The Upper Town has plenty to see nearby. The Lotrščak Tower, the Gric Tunnel and the Church of St. Catherine are all within a short walk, and the funicular from the Lower Town stops close by. The museum suits history lovers, families and anyone who wants to understand the city before exploring it. Go on a weekday morning for the quietest rooms.