The city's complex history usually occupies us with the current contents it offers, while the spaces that house notable museums and galleries stand in the background, and we rarely give them a thought...
In addition to keeping valuable cultural and historical heritage, Zagreb Archaeological Museum, Modern Gallery and Dverce Palace have something else in common – they are housed in representative spaces that are the historical legacy of the Vranyczany-Dobrinović family. The family had an important role in Croatia's history and politics, and they also served as patrons of the arts and donors, art collectors and drivers of social life. In the 19th century, they erected some of the most notable palaces in Zagreb's Upper Town and Lower Town, which were the centers of social life in the time they were built and later, as well as where the arts and patriotic ideas were guarded and nurtured.
Today, these palaces house important cultural institutions, with beautiful exteriors that will draw you in, and a wealth of exhibits that will make you want to stay and see more. An example of this is the Modern Gallery at the address Andrije Hebranga 1, in the Ljudevit Vranyczany palace. This is the richest and most important collection of Croatian paintings created from the 19th century until today. A palace that was owned by Dragan Vranyczany at Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19 serves as the Archeological Museum today and has more than 450 000 artifacts. Klotilda Vranyczany Buratti left in her will the representative Upper Town Palace Dverce to the city of Zagreb. It is a place where valuable works of art are kept, but also where important city and state events are hosted.