On your way to Croatia, stop by Bled. A new temple of contemporary art is emerging in a fairytale setting

A new temple of contemporary art is being built on the picturesque Lake Bled. In 2026, Muzej Lah will open there – home to almost 800 works by artists from all over the world. If you are planning a vacation in Croatia, it is worth going off the beaten track...

At the foot of the majestic Julian Alps, a unique place dedicated to contemporary art is emerging. In 2026, the Slovenian town of Bled will host Muzej Lah , an institution named after its founders, Igor and Mojca Lah . The new museum will house a world-class collection of almost 800 works of art . Located right next to a 13th-century castle and the picturesque Lake Bled, it is intended to offer not only contact with art , but also an unforgettable aesthetic experience – in harmony with nature and the history of the place.

Bled Castle, Slovakia / Shutterstock

The museum is financed by the Lah Foundation , a Swiss non-profit organization founded by Igor and Mojca Lah . The foundation supports cultural projects in the field of visual arts, theater, film, music and dance, both local and international. Igor Lah is also the owner and president of the Swiss Vaider Group , which invests in the glass industry in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Lah Museum will present around 800 works of contemporary art , collected by the Lah couple over three decades. The collection includes works by over a hundred artists from Slovenia and abroad. Among them are Joseph Beuys, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Anselm Kiefer, William Kentridge, Zoran Mušič and the Neue Slowenische Kunst collective. In addition to 20th century classics, there will also be works by contemporary artists such as Anne Imhof, Theaster Gates and Hito Steyerl.

The architectural concept of the museum is the work of the renowned British studio David Chipperfield Architects , whose founder – Sir David Chipperfield – was awarded the Pritzker Prize . The 5,100-square-meter building will be harmoniously integrated into the hillside at the foot of Bled Castle. The project involves the creation of a complex of exhibition spaces, courtyards and terraces that will facilitate both the presentation of art and contact with the surrounding landscape.

It is worth adding that Bled Castle is just a few hours' drive from the Croatian border - on the way from Poland. If you are planning a car trip to the south of Europe, it is worth considering a short stop in the Slovenian pearl .