Location: Ljubljana
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Things to do in Ljubljana, Upper Carniola Region: The Best Art Museums
Slovenia, wedged between Austria and Italy, has always been proud of its unique heritage. The capital, Ljubljana, is a perfect example of this blend of German, Mediterranean, and Slovenian culture. The old town is a blend of Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau buildings, watched over by a medieval castle. Cut through the gardens of Tivoli Park to the National Museum of Contemporary History for a history of modern Slovenia, featuring crumbled statues of Stalin and a recreation of a WWI trench.
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1. Tiporenesansa
2. Museum of Puppetry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By KostaBobuai - Athens, Greece
Nice museum inside ljubljana's castle. We got the all inclusive ticket to the castle which offers admission to the puppetry museum and we were surprised to find out that it was one of the most interesting things we saw in Ljubljana. Very nice museum with snart interactive features to play.
3. Modern Gallery (Moderna Galerija)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Beto79 - Lille, France
The museum of Modern Art of Ljubljana has an eclectic collection of art with video installations, paintings and sculptures. Some of the art were not my cup of coffee but I appreciate the vast majority of the works displayed. The museum has a very nice cafe in the basement and offers a combined ticket to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Definitively a place to check out when in Ljubljana.
4. National Gallery (Narodna Galerija)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 181 reviews
National Gallery of Slovenia (Narodna galerija) is the central art museum in Slovenia, containing the largest visual arts collection from the late medieval period to the twentieth century. Visit the Permanent Collection with Audio guide in English language or use free mobile app Nexto Guide to lead you through 8 centuries of art in Slovenia. Don't miss the temporary exhibitions and the exhibition rooms dedicated to painter Zoran Music, take a break in a cosy cafe, visit the museum gift shop, and let the green dwarf Gal welcome young visitors in his magic home hidden in the oldest part of the Gallery. Experience the gallery in a different way - observe the original works of art and draw in the gallery! Guided tours in foreign languages are organised upon prior reservation. Welcome to the National Gallery of Slovenia!
Reviewed By periandro - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
The National Gallery (Narodna galerija) of Slovenia is a fantastic museum in the beautiful city of Ljubljana devoted to both painting and sculpture. It houses manifold art works by Slovenian and other origins artists ranging from the medieval period to modern times, to wit, as far as style is concerned, from the romanesque religious sculpture, such as the anonymous “Christ Crucified” through the gothic and baroque in all its forms to Biedermeier, modern and abstract painting. The main building containing the museum is a stunning edifice both outside and inside. It was built in 1896, during the administration of Mayor Ivan Hribar and designed by the Czech architect František Škabrout. In the early 1990s, an extension to the main building was built by the Slovene architect Edvard Ravnikar. At the beginning of the twenty first century a large transparent glass gallery, designed by the architects Jurij Sadar and Boštjan Vuga, was built to connect the two wings of the building. It has a wonderful façade very appropriate for a solid construction destined to be the shrine of the masterpieces there exhibited. Once inside, the beauty of the rooms and the staircases with their stupendous ornamental elements, handrails, balustrades and artistic lamps and chandeliers is capable of arousing the admiration of every sensitive art lover. The fabulous masterpieces which can be contemplated in that museum make it deserve more than one visit. The aforesaid “Christ Crucified” by an anonymous carver is the oldest work of art in the collection of the National Gallery. Although it's still, as indicated, a romanesque sculpture, the fact that Christ's knees and hips lean sideways calls up the imminent gothic style. Likewise, the relief known as “Madonna on the Throne of Solomon” by Master of Solčava Madonna is a very detailed artwork calling a significant attention of the cultural public due to its meticulous elaboration and the grace of the figures. The author was bound to late romanesque style but in that work he also emplyed new gothic forms, as one can realise for example in Mary's expression and in the pointed arch form of the tympanum. The four saints painted by Catarino Veneziano constitute a dazzling marvel. It consists of four panes portraying St. John the Evangelist, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter nd St. Paul, respectively. The author belonged to the Venezian School whose members turned from the traditional Byzantine aesthetics towards the gothic style. In the works concerned one feels very deeply the vivid colours, the elegance of the figures and the refined forms which attract no doubt most of visitors' attention. There are other gothic artworks in that museum within the religious field, all of them of a very high quality. Among them the following could be outlined: “Standing Virgin”, a product of the Ptujska Gora sculpture workshop consisting in a beautiful Madonna whose sweet face and slim and harmonious S line are really admirable. As far as sculpture is concerned there are likewise, among many works, some Pietàs in which the silent mourning pervading them is outstanding, and some statues of saints, such as St. Peter, St. Lawrence, St. Catherine and St. Florian. As regards paintings, two of them deserve a special consideration: the “Madonna with Christ Child Blessing” (Hoče Madonna) (c. 1465) and Christ on the Mount of Olives (c. 1490). In the first one the sentimentally reserved expression of Mary's face is impressive. This feature, by the way, clearly calls up the new renaissance trend. In connection with baroque and neoclassicism styles one may come across many beautiful works in that museum as regards both the art of sculpture and that of painting. As an undeniable example of the former the Immaculate Conception (eighteenth century) by Veit Königer may be pointed out. This is a fascinating masterpiece looking like having been instilled some life due to the twist of the figure round the axis and the graceful gesture of Mary's hands. Some qualities typical of the rococo style can be observed in that sculpture. As far as painting is concerned one could make stand out the mythological scene “Venus, Cupid and Peristera” by Franc Kavčić, a Slovenian painter who adhered to the neoclassicist style, as well as some pictures of both landscapes, ordinary people and personages somehow relevant in every one of the periods in which the respective artists have been active. Among these the following deserve being taken into account owing to the finess of their execution, as it's evident in the pictures themselves, and the delicacy concerning the brushstrokes of the painters: “Julia Prinic and her Brother Janez” (ca. 1823) by Matevž Langus; “Luiza Pesjak, née Crobath” (before 1869) by Mihael Stroj; “Roza Karinger and Baroness Schmidburg” (1869) by Anton Karinger, and “Summer” (1889 – 1890) by Ivana Kobilca. As regards the aforesaid painting by Karinger the way how the artist succeeded in stressing the intimate, friendly mood of the two portrayed ladies is entitled to admiration. Other works exhibited in that museum appertain to later styles such as realism, Biedermeier, art nouveau, impressionism, neo-baroque, surrealism and other works not clearly defined as far as their style is concerned. In the Slovenian impressionist decade at the beginning of the twentieth century Ivan Grohar is perhaps the most lyrical personage. Some of his paintings are exhibited in that museum. Among them “Rakers” is perhaps the most emblematic one. It's an artwork seemingly possessing some movement. It makes the connoisseur whatching it be involved in the scene depicted consisting in two lady rakers on the foreground placed in a shadow which serves also to highlight the landscape towards the background including a village and an Alpine ridge. The picture “Cathedral of St. Nicholas with the Robba Fountin” by Matija Jama is also a beautiful and eyes catching composition depicting the three most important monuments in Ljubljana. In the sphere of the neo-baroque works the sculpture “Startled Satyr” by Ivan Zajec is a good sample of the works appertaining to that style which can be observed in the museum concerned. As one can realise from the foregoing, the National Gallery of Slovenia is a gorgeous museum housing fabulous masterpieces by Slovenian artists and artist from other countries comparable to similar works by Western European ones which can be beheld in commonly konown museums all over the world. The good quality and taste of manifold works exhibited in the National Gallery make them be comprised in the scope of excellent fine arts. That's one of the reasons why the Museum in question should absolutely be visited when being in the Slovenian capital city.
5. International Centre of Graphic Arts (MGLC)
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 14 reviews
The International Centre of Graphic Arts is a specialized museum and producer of printed and contemporary art, based on the heritage of the Biennial of Graphic Arts and 20th century art of printing. MGLC was established on 25 December 1986 by the city of Ljubljana, upon the initiative of the longtime head of the Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts and director of MGLC, dr. Zoran Kržišnik. It has been the job of MGLC from the outset to perform a number of activities that are interrelated and complementary in their nature. It takes care of the extensive collection of prints and artists’ books produced after the Second World War. Works from the collection are available to view in the Study Room and are accompanied by a library accessible to the public, both by appointment. The institution’s most recognizable activity is the Biennial of Graphic Arts, which is known as the world’s oldest graphic arts event (1955-).
6. Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (MSUM)
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 60 reviews
7. Museum of Modern Art
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 4 reviews
