A breakup can spell turbulent times for anybody. Even the strongest of people tend to break down when it comes to the matters of the fragile heart! But we often hear pain is like a tunnel- the only way out of it is through it. And how about sharing it with the world rather than keeping it all in? And in case you are looking for the right platform, then we have just the perfect place for you- The Museum Of Broken Relationships in Croatia. Yes, you heard it right! There’s an entire museum dedicated to breakups and the bizarre stories behind them. In fact, it houses some very interesting objects and artefacts which donate from their own broken relationships. Sounds interesting? Well, scroll down to read more about this unique museum!
Concept Behind This Museum
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Image Source: frommers.com
Located in Croatia, Museum of Broken Relationships is the brainchild of two Croatian lovers, Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišic. After their relationship ended, the estranged couple began collecting the relics of other failed relationship. When their 4-year love affair ended in 2003, the ex-couple joked about setting up a museum to house the left-over personal items.
After three years of their breakup, Grubišic contacted his ex Vištica with this idea, and they started asking their friends to donate items left behind from their breakups. And this how their exhibition collection was launched. In 2006, the collection was opened up for a limited audience.
Image Source: Wikipedia Commons 
Image Source: NPR
Since then, they have held exhibitions in over 50 locations including New York, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Los Angeles. And eventually, in 2010, the museum at Croatia was finally opened up to the general public.
Bizarre Breakup Items & Their Stories
Image Source: All That’s Intresting 
Image Source: Broken relationships
Over 4,000 items are submitted from anonymous donors across the globe, which is on display here. These include a puppet, by a guy from Spain, which was made by his ex-girlfriend; an axe used to chop up an ex-boyfriend’s furniture; a jar of love incense labelled ‘doesn’t work’ and much more unique items. Among the collection at the museum are typical items like—mobile phones, rings, clothing. But you will also find a toaster, a prosthetic, even a parachute rig. Each of the items is accompanied by the breakup story behind the item.
Image Source: brokenships.com
Image Source: brokenships.com
Some of the really bizarre items showcased at the museum include:
- Handcuffs- On display since 2005 and the description reads “Ata me” which means ‘tie me up’ in Spanish.
- A can of love incense- The description of this reads ‘Doesn’t work’.
- The toaster of vindication- On display since 2006 with a description that reads, “When I moved out, and across the country, I took the toaster. That’ll show you. How are you going to toast anything now”?
- A statue of Number ‘2’ – It has been on display since summer 2007 with description, ‘He had another woman. He couldn’t make me his number 1; I couldn’t stand being his number 2’.
Image Source: brokenships.com 
Image Source: brokenships.com
Once you are done with checking out the museum you can relax at their in-house Brokenships Museum Café. Also, they have Brokenships Museum Shop where you can shop for apparel, stationery and accessories. All the items are carefully crafted to help you deal with a break-up in a fun and comforting way.
Apart from Croatia, the Museum of Broken Relationships is now also in Los Angeles. Maybe it’s time you got your stuff back from that toxic ex!
(Featured Image Source: instagram/brokenships)
