Mednarodni grafični likovni center

About the museum

The Mednarodni grafični likovni center (MGLC) is a specialised museum of the art of printing and at the same time an artistic, educational and residency centre in Tivoli Park in Ljubljana. Since 1986 it has operated in Tivoli Castle, and since 2017 also in Švicarija (Swiss Cottage), which the Mestna občina Ljubljana handed over to it for management on 9 May 2017; in 2023 it also took over the management of the renovated Plečnik Auditorium. The MGLC is the main organiser of the Grafični bienale Ljubljana, one of the oldest and largest international exhibitions of graphic and contemporary art in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

Tivoli Castle is the oldest building in today's park. Its history goes back to the 13th century, when a tower stood on this site that the people of Celje demolished in 1442. The baron Jurij Apfaltrer had a new manor house built; in 1601 the Ljubljana Jesuits bought it and erected a new castle building. The castle is linked to the city by the Jakopič promenade, which the architect Jože Plečnik extended in the thirties of the 20th century.

The MGLC collections are the largest Slovenian collection of prints and artistic publications produced after the Second World War, and the only public collection of modernist prints comprising more than 10,000 works. On the ground floor of Švicarija is the permanent display Spominski atelje Stojana Batiča, a reconstruction of the sculptor's studio, which has been a cultural monument since 2022.

Highlights

• Spominski atelje Stojana Batiča (Stojan Batič Memorial Studio), permanent display in Švicarija
• The largest Slovenian collection of post-war prints and artistic publications
• Tivoli Castle with a view of Ljubljana and the Jakopič promenade
• Švicarija and the Plečnik Auditorium in Tivoli Park
• Café Caffe Bienale with a summer garden

Permanent exhibition

• Spominski atelje Stojana Batiča – A reconstruction of the studio of the sculptor Stojan Batič on the ground floor of Švicarija presents designs for monumental works, small sculptures and the artist's personal objects.

Founded

1986

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on open-door days (8 February, 18 May, the family week in May, the summer museum night in June, 3 December – Ta veseli dan kulture) and for two hours after the opening of an exhibition.

The ticket is valid for Tivoli Castle and Švicarija. Free admission is also granted to members of the Klub prijateljev Bienala, holders of ICOM, SMD and AICA cards and of the Urbana tourist card, journalists and unemployed persons. The shop and bistro in Švicarija and the ground floor of Tivoli Castle with its shop and café are free of charge. During the Grafični bienale Ljubljana, ticket prices may change.

Accessibility

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

In Tivoli Castle, wheelchair access is from the back of the building; press the bell for the lift. The lift leads to the gallery, shop, café and adapted toilets; Švicarija also has a lift and adapted toilets. By arrangement, visitors in wheelchairs are offered transport across the park and free parking directly behind the castle or Švicarija (info point +386 1 241 38 12). For blind and partially sighted visitors there is a tactile and audio guide to Švicarija and two tactile maps in Tivoli Castle. Adapted guided tours and tours with a sign-language interpreter are possible by arrangement. Dogs are welcome in the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Family programmes and workshops are available (collage printing, monotype, screen printing), together with a family folder and a guide for children and families through Švicarija. In the warmer months a fenced outdoor playground is located beside the café.

Getting there & parking

Tivoli Castle stands at the end of the Jakopič promenade in Tivoli Park; from the city centre, Šiška or Rožna dolina it is about 15 minutes on foot. Švicarija is about 150 metres from the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

The Caffe Bienale café on the ground floor of Tivoli Castle, with a summer garden, is open on weekdays 10:00–18:00 and at weekends 9:00–18:00; closed on Mondays. Bistro Švicarija operates on the ground floor of Švicarija. The cloakroom is in the basement of Tivoli Castle.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 210 guests.

Two locations with four spaces (the castle courtyard and small hall in Tivoli Castle, the hall and garden in Švicarija) for 10 to 210 people indoors or up to 600 people outdoors; civil marriage ceremonies are also possible. The Plečnik Auditorium is also available.

Plan your visit