Dive into the fascinating world of chocolate, from the ancient tribes of Mesoamerica to the Belgian pralines and the great English chocolate factories. At Chocolate Museum Zagreb, the immersive experience is a tasty one too, with irresistible treats along the way.

Chocolate Museum Zagreb in Croatia tells the story of chocolate, from its very beginnings as a bitter frothed drink spiced with chilli in South America, where it was more than just foodstuff (spoiler: it was both an item in mystical rituals and used as a means of payment).

Chocolate Museum Zagreb: the sweetest museum in town

The museum takes visitors on the journey of chocolate to Europe, on the ships of the colonisers, to its gradual acceptance and popularisation on the 17th century royal courts, and all the way to its big global breakthrough during the industrial revolution, when it became the chocolate bar we know and love today.

The idea for Chocolate Museum Zagreb was born after a disappointing family visit to a European chocolate museum. “We wanted to be taken on a journey and have a complete experience, satisfying all our senses, and to follow a given narrative through the history of chocolate,” says Domagoj Cerovac, who founded the museum with his wife Ružica Božić Cerovac.

Chocolate Museum Zagreb: the sweetest museum in town

Irresistible tasting box and smart edutainment

Visitors at the museum receive their admission ticket, which is also a little tasting box with nine different varieties of chocolate to be tasted during the visit. “The chocolate samples are to be enjoyed at specific places during the tour, contributing to a seamless experience,” says Domagoj. “The museum is conceived as edutainment, meaning that at every step visitors both learn and enjoy, without being overwhelmed by facts and figures.”

Chocolate Museum Zagreb has six historic rooms, in which you will learn who consumed chocolate at that particular time and place, and in what form. Each room displays historic artefacts from that era, and offers interactive content with custom design and sound – and a variety of chocolate common for that time.

“In the first room, for example, visitors will taste a roasted cacao bean. In the second room, they will taste 100 per cent pure chocolate, so called chocolate mass,” he explains. “And from the third room onwards, they will taste dark, milk, white and ruby chocolate. With a grand finale of three types of melted chocolate, to be enjoyed with a spoon.”

Chocolate Museum Zagreb: the sweetest museum in town

Seamless experience and charming interior

Through its one-of-a-kind interior, the museum offers a charming backdrop for snapshots. And the chocolate boutique is the only specialised artisan and craft chocolate store in the country, ensuring a wide array of original and authentic local delicacies. Visitors can also learn about chocolate production, and even see how it is created and produced in the museum’s workshop facility.

“The idea is to give a seamless experience for the visitors, to emerge them in an entertaining and educational environment where they enjoy themselves and leave enriched. And full of exquisite chocolate,” says Ružica. “The museum offers something for all ages and backgrounds. There is tasting, history, art. There is interactive content and unique photo opportunities. There is trivia, nostalgia, and truly authentic local chocolates and souvenirs.”

Chocolate Museum Zagreb: the sweetest museum in town

New upgrades and yummy workshops

Recently, the museum moved to a bigger location, just a few minutes’ walk from the main square in the city centre, and was upgraded both in size and content. This summer, the team has also introduced audio guides and all content is now available in 16 languages and sign language (Croatian and international).

Later in autumn, another innovation is in the pipeline: chocolate-making workshops, explains Ružica: “Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on workshops on the spot, learning the basics of how to work with chocolate, and create their own personal chocolate bars to bring home.”

When visiting Zagreb, this delicious museum should be on your to-do list. “It’s certainly the sweetest museum in town,” smiles Ružica. “But besides that, it offers a streak of unique traits. Hopefully, visitors will enjoy the educational and fun experience!”

Chocolate Museum Zagreb: the sweetest museum in town

Web: muzejcokolade.hr/en
Facebook: Muzej čokolade Zagreb
Instagram: @chocolatemuseumzagreb

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