Tiflološki muzej

About the museum

The idea for the museum was inspired by the teacher and typhlopedagogue Vinko Bek, founder of the Zemaljski zavod za odgoj slijepe djece (State Institute for the Education of Blind Children) in Zagreb. From 1888 he collected objects for a private collection which he called the Hrvatski sljepački muzej (Croatian Museum for the Blind). He exhibited part of it in 1891 at the Jubilee Exhibition in Zagreb and in 1896 at the Millennium Exhibition in Budapest. After the Institute for the Blind opened in 1895, the objects were moved to the Institute, and much of Bek’s legacy was later donated to the museum by his descendants.

The Tiflološki muzej (Museum of Typhlology) opened in 1953 at Bosanska ulica 36, thanks to the blind scientist Franjo Tonković and his wife Danica, and the first permanent display opened in 1956. After moving to Draškovićeva ulica 80, to a building then belonging to the Savez slijepih Jugoslavije (Union of the Blind of Yugoslavia), a second display opened in 1959, a third in 1976, and the fourth, the present one, in January 2008.

The museum is a public state institution that collects, preserves, researches and presents material on people with disabilities, with an emphasis on people with visual impairments. The permanent display includes the Tamna soba (Dark Room), in complete darkness, the beginnings of institutional care for the blind, everyday life at the State Institute, the development of Braille and works of art by blind artists. The collections include objects for special education and rehabilitation, artworks, an ophthalmological collection, printed matter in relief type and photographs.

Highlights

• Tamna soba (Dark Room) in complete darkness
• The development of Braille
• Everyday life at the Zemaljski zavod za odgoj slijepe djece (State Institute for the Education of Blind Children)
• Artworks by blind artists
• Audio guide through the permanent display

Permanent exhibition

• Stalni postav Tiflološkog muzeja – The 2008 display includes the Dark Room, the beginnings of care for the blind, the development of Braille and works by blind artists.

Founded

1953

Operated by

Tiflološki muzej (javna državna ustanova)

Admission & discounts

Free admission is also granted to members of ICOM and HMD, and to journalists with a press card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition space is adapted for people with disabilities. The audio guide through the permanent display is available on the museum’s website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers workshops and educational programmes as well as a family ticket; the Dark Room gives children the experience of moving without sight.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum is pet-friendly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit