New in Zagreb - The Torture Museum

If you are brave enough to get up close and personal with some of the worst torture devices in the history of mankind, head to the newly opened torture museum in the centre of Zagreb, the first of its kind in Croatia.

Another specific museum – the Tortureum, has recently opened its doors to visitors. It is the first museum devoted to torture in Croatia, and it is located in the heart of Zagreb, on Radićeva Street.

The museum features more than 70 blood-chilling torture and execution devices, spanning a period from ancient history until today, and reflecting the extensive history of violence in the world. Although just the thought of these frightening devices creep most people out, the museum's founders argue that torture never stops, and the public should be aware of its presence in our society, even in the 21st century.

All the exhibits are replicas of actual torture devices, such as the guillotine from 1792, featuring a Berger mechanism invented in 1889, the ancient rack and the Virgin of Nuremberg, also known as the Iron Maiden, which were used to torture prisoners in the Middle Ages. Museum visitors will also have the opportunity to see torture devices from Croatia's past, including a replica of the red-hot crown of Matija Gubec, the leader of the 1573 Peasants’ Revolt. The crown was placed on his head during his public execution in St. Mark’s Square in Zagreb in front of the south entrance to the namesake church. Apart from just looking, visitors are encouraged to touch the devices, even try most of them out, like sitting on a torture chair or spending up to a full minute in a solitary confinement dungeon.

The Tortureum is open daily until 10 p.m. The tour offers various interactive features, as well as audio-visual stimuli. The museum also has a souvenir shop.