Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb, usually known by its Croatian abbreviation MSU, is Croatia's leading museum for modern and contemporary art. Located in Novi Zagreb, the museum combines Croatian and international art, experimental installations, changing exhibitions and one of Zagreb's most unusual museum experiences - Carsten Höller's Double Slide.

MSU is especially worthwhile if you are interested in post-war art, conceptual and experimental work or modern architecture. Its current collection display, Collection as a Verb, changes over time rather than presenting the museum's holdings as one fixed chronological exhibition.

Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb overview

Is the Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb worth visiting?

Yes, particularly if you enjoy contemporary art, modern architecture or want to explore a part of Zagreb beyond the historic centre.

MSU is much larger than many of Zagreb's central museums and covers several floors, so it works best when you have at least 1.5 hours available. Visitors who want to explore both the collection and major temporary exhibitions should allow closer to 2-3 hours.

If your priority is archaeology, traditional painting or historic interiors, another Zagreb museum may suit you better. But for experimental, conceptual and post-war Croatian art, MSU is one of the city's most important cultural institutions.

What to see at MSU Zagreb

The museum collects and exhibits Croatian and international art from the mid-20th century to the present. Painting and sculpture are only part of the experience - visitors may also encounter photography, film, video, installations, conceptual art, performance documentation and multimedia works.

Because MSU regularly changes the way its collection is presented, the exact works on display vary. That is intentional rather than a temporary limitation.

Collection as a Verb

The museum's current collection presentation is called Collection as a Verb. Instead of treating the permanent collection as a fixed timeline, MSU uses changing thematic displays that place older works beside more recent art and respond to contemporary social and cultural questions.

The project runs through 2026 and is continually reinterpreted, so a return visit can look noticeably different from an earlier one.

Current 2026 collection display

One of the current sections is Flowers - Non-Flowers - Something Third, which opened in June 2026 and explores artistic practices connected with the Zagreb scene from the 1970s onward, including the growing role of experimental and women artists.

Temporary and collection-based exhibitions change regularly, so check the current MSU programme if seeing a particular artist or exhibition is important to you.

The Double Slide at MSU

One of the museum's most memorable works is Carsten Höller's Double Slide, a large functioning slide installed inside the building.

A standard ticket for the permanent collection currently includes one descent from the second floor. The slide is both an artwork and an experience, making it one of the easiest MSU works to remember even for visitors who do not usually spend much time in contemporary-art museums.

Availability can occasionally be affected by operational or safety requirements, so treat the slide as part of the museum experience rather than the sole reason for visiting.

Why MSU is important to Croatian contemporary art

The museum was founded in 1954 as the City Gallery of Contemporary Art. From its earliest years, it supported new and experimental artistic movements rather than concentrating only on established academic art.

Its history is closely connected with important Zagreb avant-garde groups including EXAT 51, whose artists promoted geometric abstraction and modern design, and Gorgona, an influential experimental group active around the end of the 1950s and early 1960s.

Artists associated with these movements include Ivan Picelj, Vjenceslav Richter, Aleksandar Srnec, Julije Knifer, Ivan Kožarić and Josip Vaništa.

This background is one reason MSU is more than a collection of recent artworks - it documents Zagreb's important role in experimental and conceptual art in the former Yugoslavia and wider Central European region.

The MSU building in Novi Zagreb

For decades the museum operated from much smaller spaces in Zagreb's Upper Town. It moved into its current purpose-built home in December 2009.

The building was designed by Croatian architect Igor Franić and covers around 15,000 square metres, making it one of Croatia's largest purpose-built museum buildings.

Its broad concrete and glass form, ramps, large exhibition halls and open public spaces were designed specifically for contemporary art. The building also incorporates a roughly 90-metre LED media facade used for video art and visual programmes.

The Novi Zagreb location is part of the experience. MSU feels very different from museums housed in historic palaces in the city centre and provides an opportunity to see Zagreb's post-war urban landscape.

How long do you need at MSU Zagreb?

Allow about 1.5-2 hours for the collection display and main museum spaces at a comfortable pace.

If you also want to see large temporary exhibitions, watch video works or spend time reading interpretation, allow around 2-3 hours.

Contemporary-art enthusiasts can easily stay longer because the museum often has several exhibitions running at the same time.

MSU Zagreb tickets

Reduced admission applies to pupils, students and senior citizens.

The permanent-collection ticket currently includes Collection as a Verb, selected associated exhibition spaces and one descent on Carsten Höller's Double Slide.

Free admission: MSU currently offers free individual admission to its exhibition programmes on the first Wednesday of every month. Several additional visitor groups also qualify for free entry.

Opening hours

The museum is also closed on public holidays. Tickets can be purchased no later than 30 minutes before the exhibition spaces close.

How to get to the Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb

MSU is at Avenija Dubrovnik 17 in Novi Zagreb, south of the Sava River.

By tram

Tram lines 6, 7 and 14 serve the area around the museum.

From Zagreb's main railway station, tram 6 toward Sopot is one useful option. From the main bus station, tram 7 toward Savski most stops near the museum.

See our guide to Zagreb tram lines for more information about getting around the city.

By bus

Numerous city bus routes also serve Novi Zagreb and stops around Avenija Dubrovnik, making MSU easy to reach from different parts of the city.

By car

Parking areas are located on the east and north sides of the museum building.

Accessibility

MSU states that access is provided for visitors with disabilities. Visitors with disabilities and one accompanying assistant currently qualify for free admission.

For group visits requiring additional assistance, the museum also offers dedicated arrangements through its visitor service.

Practical tips for visiting MSU

• Allow more time than you would for many museums in central Zagreb - the building is large.
• Check the current exhibition programme before visiting because displays change frequently.
• Large bags and backpacks must be left in the museum lockers before entering the exhibitions.
• If you want to use the Double Slide, confirm that it is operating when you arrive.
• The first Wednesday of each month is currently a particularly good time to visit because individual admission to exhibitions is free.

Which Zagreb museum should you choose?

Choose MSU if you are interested in modern and contemporary art, installations, experimental work and post-war Croatian culture.

For ancient history, visit the Archaeological Museum Zagreb. For a smaller and more unusual museum experience in the historic centre, the Museum of Broken Relationships is another popular choice.

See our complete guide to museums in Zagreb for more options.

Address and official information

Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb
Avenija Dubrovnik 17
10000 Zagreb
Croatia

Official website: Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb