Split is a beautiful seaside city set on the dramatic and picturesque Adriatic Coast with its turquoise, glittering waters and craggy cliffs and mountains and is home to incredible Roman ruins from long ago. It is, however, in no way stuck in the past and is a buzzing, vibrant place with a very active nightlife, incredible restaurants, and lots to see and do. So, if you’re looking for a holiday full of fun, sun, and excitement, then a vacation rental in Split is a good idea.
Split is also home to some great cultural gems including the incredible Ivan Meštrović Gallery (or Galerija Meštrović). Dedicated to the life and work of the 20th-century sculptor, Ivan Meštrović, the building rises like a sacred temple atop a hillside overlooking the coast. The building, in fact, looks rather like a temple due to its iconic and beautiful design, that features a long façade, reached atop a flight of stone stairs built into the hillside, with two three-bay wings flanking a central unit fronted by a portico with Ionic order columns. Above the portico there is a terrace that takes in those incredible views over the coast. Inside, the building is home to large, bright, airy rooms that house the most significant works of Meštrović, including sculptures, drawings, designs, furniture and architectural plans.
Split is also home to some great cultural gems including the incredible Ivan Meštrović Gallery (or Galerija Meštrović). Dedicated to the life and work of the 20th-century sculptor, Ivan Meštrović, the building rises like a sacred temple atop a hillside overlooking the coast. The building, in fact, looks rather like a temple due to its iconic and beautiful design, that features a long façade, reached atop a flight of stone stairs built into the hillside, with two three-bay wings flanking a central unit fronted by a portico with Ionic order columns. Above the portico there is a terrace that takes in those incredible views over the coast. Inside, the building is home to large, bright, airy rooms that house the most significant works of Meštrović, including sculptures, drawings, designs, furniture and architectural plans.
The plot on which the gallery is located was originally bought by Ivan Meštrović himself in the 1920s as a site for a summer home that was built according to his own designs, which were developed by the architects Harold Bilinić and Lavoslav Horvat and executed under the direction of builder Marin Marasović between 1931 and 1939. Built with three purposes in mind – as a family home, studio, and exhibition space – the villa was where the Meštrović family stayed from 1932 until 1941, when Meštrović left to Zagreb and, eventually, the US. In 1952, it, along with three other buildings and 132 works of art, were donated by Meštrović to the state and the foundations of the Ivan Meštrović Gallery was born.
Initially, the collection consisted of 70 sculptural works that the artist specifically designated for the museum in Split and, over time, the holdings of the gallery grew as more works were purchased, exchanged, and donated by Meštrović, his heirs, and others. After the initial donation to the state, however, the gallery was passed to various bodies and grew dilapidated. It remained closed to the public for years due to this dilapidation and the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s. Then, after an extensive period of renovation, it was officially reopened to the public on the 18th of May 1998.
Initially, the collection consisted of 70 sculptural works that the artist specifically designated for the museum in Split and, over time, the holdings of the gallery grew as more works were purchased, exchanged, and donated by Meštrović, his heirs, and others. After the initial donation to the state, however, the gallery was passed to various bodies and grew dilapidated. It remained closed to the public for years due to this dilapidation and the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s. Then, after an extensive period of renovation, it was officially reopened to the public on the 18th of May 1998.
The gallery is now home to 192 sculptures, 583 drawings, 4 paintings, 291 architectural plans, and 2 furniture sets, of which one was made according to Meštrović's sketches and around 168 other works of art that were collected by his heirs over the years. This permanent collection is displayed over two floors of the building and outside in the outdoor sculpture park. Arranged according to theme and to fit pieces into their surroundings, the central hall on the ground floor is where you meet marble statues corresponding with the stone façade upon entrance, the dining room maintains a sense of artist's home and houses Meštrović's furniture, paintings, and bronze portraits of the family members, the exhibition hall on the east side houses religious works, the west wing hall upstairs is home to early works from the secession period, the east hall to sculptures made between the two World Wars, a little side room is dedicated to the theme of Job, drawings are kept on the first floor, and the large central hall houses sculpture and is used for special events. In addition, the Ivan Meštrović Gallery is home to an extensive archive of various publications, letters, manuscripts, newspaper articles, photographs, films, contracts, documents, and other items that are related directly or indirectly to Ivan Meštrović’s life and work.
So, if you are a fan of this key Croatian sculptor or just a fan of art, in general, or love striking buildings, come and explore this exceptional gem. A monument in its own right and home to incredible works of art, it is a must for those who have found a vacation rental in Split and are looking to learn more about the fascinating history of art in Croatia.
So, if you are a fan of this key Croatian sculptor or just a fan of art, in general, or love striking buildings, come and explore this exceptional gem. A monument in its own right and home to incredible works of art, it is a must for those who have found a vacation rental in Split and are looking to learn more about the fascinating history of art in Croatia.
