Moderna galerija

About the museum

Moderna galerija is the central institution for Slovenian fine art of the 20th century in Ljubljana. The building on Cankarjeva cesta was designed by the architect Edvard Ravnikar; it was his first significant completed work and was finished in 1948. The money for the construction was donated in 1936 by the Hribar family; the initiative for patronage came from Izidor Cankar. The building is axially symmetrical, with a raised central section and white stone slabs on the façade.

The gallery opened its permanent collection in 1951 and took over part of the 20th-century artworks from the Narodna galerija. For several decades it was the home of the Mednarodni grafični bienale (International Biennial of Graphic Arts). Today it operates as a museum of modern and contemporary art at two locations: part of the collection and contemporary art are in the Muzej sodobne umetnosti Metelkova (+MSUM); the two buildings appear together under the name MG+MSUM.

The collections comprise painting, sculpture, graphic art, drawing and photography, the archive of the OHO group and the international collection Arteast 2000+. The permanent exhibition from the national collection shows Slovenian art from the entry of artistic modernism to independence, and it differs from a classic chronological arrangement.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition 20. stoletje. Kontinuitete in prelomi (20th Century. Continuities and Breaks)
• National collection of Slovenian art of the 20th century
• Reconstruction of the Trieste constructivist environment from 1927
• Building by Edvard Ravnikar, his first major work
• Café Moderna and the MG bookshop in the building

Permanent exhibition

• 20. stoletje. Kontinuitete in prelomi – The permanent exhibition of works from the national collection presents Slovenian art from the entry of artistic modernism to independence, and includes the avant-garde, partisan art and photography.

Founded

1947

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the first Sunday of every month, admission is free.

Admission is free for all exhibitions of the Moderna galerija and the Muzej sodobne umetnosti Metelkova. Admission is also free for unemployed persons and for holders of CIMAM, ICOM, Skupnost muzejev Slovenije, Slovensko muzejsko društvo and Slovensko umetnostnozgodovinsko društvo cards, as well as holders of the Ljubljana Tourist Card. Organised tours: for groups of up to 10 people €20, for groups of more than 10 people €1 per person.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

All gallery spaces are accessible by lift and stairs. Access for visitors with reduced mobility and for pushchairs is at the staff entrance at Windischerjeva ulica 2; the main entrance is at Cankarjeva cesta 15.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

The gallery offers programmes for children, young people and families, for example the Klub Minimalistov (Minimalists' Club), holiday programmes, birthday celebrations at MG+MSUM and the playful tours Mali koraki (Small Steps).

Getting there & parking

The main entrance is at Cankarjeva cesta 15.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Moderna is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–20:00. The MG bookshop operates in the gallery building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit