Exploring the War Photography Museum Zagreb: A Journey Through History

When my wife and I stepped into Zagreb’s Image of War – War Photography Museum, I wasn’t quite prepared for the wave of emotion that would follow. As a Canadian-born son of Croatian parents, this museum struck something deeper in me. If my family hadn’t left Yugoslavia when they did, my story could have been very different. Walking through the rooms, surrounded by photographs of lives interrupted, I found myself not only looking at history but also imagining an alternate path for my own.

"Preventing future conflicts and fostering peace begins with individual awareness and responsibility."

Introduction to the Museum

The War Photography Museum Zagreb is a museum dedicated to war photography and its human impact, opened in 2018, and has quickly become one of the most important cultural spaces in Croatia’s capital. Unlike many war museums that showcase weapons or military strategies, this one is dedicated entirely to photography—the still image as witness. Located in the heart of Zagreb, the museum feels like part gallery, part archive, and part testimony. Its mission is clear: to preserve the memory of the Croatian War of Independence while also confronting visitors with the universal consequences of war.

The Power of Images: War Photography’s Unique Impact

Stepping into the Image of War museum, you quickly realize that this is no ordinary war museum. Here, the power of photography takes center stage, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the devastating consequences of armed conflict. The museum is dedicated to presenting the image of war not just as a historical record, but as a catalyst for informed dialogue and reflection. Through the lens of world-renowned photographers, professional photographers, and even ordinary people who lived through the conflict, visitors are invited to witness the realities of war in a way that words alone could never convey.

The exhibitions at this war photography museum go far beyond simply displaying photographs. Each image is a window into the economic consequences, the horrific conflict, and the personal stories of those who suffered and survived. The museum’s commitment to raising awareness is evident in its diverse programming—informative events, documentaries, and special exhibitions all work together to counteract the increasingly callous and indifferent tendencies in public discourse about war. The whole idea is to ensure that the horrors and lessons of the past are not forgotten, but instead serve as a foundation for building a more peaceful future.

What makes the Image of War museum truly unique is its focus on the human cost of conflict. The photographs on display capture not only the destruction and chaos of wartime, but also the resilience and courage of ordinary people. These images remind us that wars belong in museums, not in our present or future. By educating visitors about the consequences of war, the museum hopes to influence attitudes and inspire action toward peace.

Supporting the museum—whether by purchasing a ticket or making a donation—means contributing directly to efforts that assist refugees and forcibly displaced persons who have suffered as a result of war. The museum’s presence in Zagreb, a town deeply marked by its own wartime experiences, makes it a vital part of Europe’s cultural and historical landscape. Recently, the Image of War museum has drawn visitors from across Croatia, as well as from places like Dubrovnik and Bosnia, all seeking to understand the true impact of conflict and the imperative of peace.

Discover the visual narrative of my homeland in the Croatia Photography Collection, where every signed, museum-quality print invites you into the vibrant essence of my roots—where the Adriatic light meets the ancient streets of home.

In a world where the image of war is often reduced to fleeting headlines or distant statistics, this museum stands as a powerful reminder of the stories, faces, and lives behind every photograph. It is a place where the past is honored, the present is challenged, and the future is shaped—one image at a time.

Experiencing the Museum’s Collections

From the first room, you’re pulled into a narrative that doesn’t let go. Internationally recognised photographers stand alongside local voices, their lenses capturing both the devastation and resilience of Croatia during the 1990s. The photographs are raw and unapologetic; there’s no attempt to sanitise what happened. Instead, you are given the chance to bear witness.

One of the most powerful aspects is the way the museum balances its story—yes, there are images of battle and destruction, but there are also intimate portraits of ordinary people caught in extraordinary times. Individual and amateur photos, contributed by visitors and community members, enrich the museum's narrative and evoke strong emotional responses, highlighting the human side of wartime experiences. Families, neighbours, children—all of them framed in a way that makes you stop and breathe before moving to the next wall.

Delving into “Up Close and Personal: War in Croatia”

The exhibition “Up Close and Personal: War in Croatia,” curated by Sandra Vitaljić, anchors the collection. With over a hundred photographs paired with first-hand accounts, it offers a textured view of the conflict that goes beyond headlines and statistics.

What struck me most was how these stories humanise the war. The photographs didn’t simply document explosions or soldiers; they revealed the lives of civilians—people my parents could have known, people I could have been. Some images made me feel proud of Croatia’s resilience, while others carried a heaviness that I carried out of the building and into the streets of Zagreb. The emotional and social consequences of the war are something that many in Croatia still feel today.

Understanding the Impact of War

This museum doesn’t glorify violence. Instead, it strips war of any romanticism. The exhibits confront visitors with the cost: homes destroyed, families torn apart, and communities scattered. In a world where armed conflict can easily become background noise in the news cycle, the museum forces you to pause and truly see.

The museum also provides background on the course and causes of the war, helping visitors better understand the exhibits and the conflict itself.

"For me, it wasn’t just about learning history—it was about recognising how fragile peace can be, and how photography has the power to keep memory alive long after the gunfire stops."

Preserving History and Promoting Peace

The museum’s guiding principle, “War belongs in a museum,” speaks volumes. Its role is not only to show what happened but to remind us why remembering matters. Proceeds from ticket sales support refugees and victims of war, extending the museum’s mission beyond its walls. Exhibits also explore wider themes—training, medicine in wartime, resistance, and culture—all of which reveal how war touches every layer of life.

The photographs and artifacts on display are carefully observed by visitors, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the past and appreciate the significance of these preserved memories.

As a photographer myself, I couldn’t help but think about the responsibility that comes with holding a camera. Every frame taken during that war carried weight, and here in Zagreb, those frames are preserved so that future generations will not forget.

Planning Your Visit

A word of advice: this museum is not lighthearted. It’s an emotional, sometimes difficult experience, and I wouldn’t recommend it for young children. But for anyone who wants to understand Croatia’s recent past, or to engage with the larger conversation about the impact of war, it is essential. Consider visiting the museum to engage directly with wartime history and contribute to its important mission.

Practical details are available on their official site, imageofwar.hr, including opening hours and current exhibitions. Expect to spend at least an hour inside, though if you are like me, you may linger longer. The exhibitions are enhanced by videos that provide additional context, emotional testimonials, and historical footage, deepening your understanding of the stories behind the photographs.

When I left, I carried with me not just images of destruction, but also a sense of resilience. This isn’t a museum you “check off” during a visit to Zagreb—it’s a place that stays with you. My wife and I both agreed it was one of the most moving experiences of our travels in Croatia, and I highly recommend it.

For those drawn to stories told through imagery, you may also enjoy exploring the raw essence of conflict and survival through my Street Photography Collection or the more intimate faces of resilience in my Street Portrait Photography series.