Muzej Lah set to open in Bled in summer 2026

Muzej Lah, a new museum for contemporary art, will open its doors in Summer 2026 in the town of Bled, Slovenia, at the foothills of the Julian Alps. Founded by Slovenian philanthropists Igor and Mojca Lah, the museum will house the Fundacija Lah art collection, that has been built over three decades and will be on view to the public for the first time.

© David Chipperfield Architects

Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, the architecture practice founded by Pritzker Prize winning British architect Sir David Chipperfield, Muzej Lah will span 5,000m² and feature works by renowned international and Slovenian artists such as Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, William Kentridge, Zoran Mušič, and Neue Slowenische Kunst, alongside some of the most influential contemporary artists of our generation including Anne Imhof, Theaster Gates, and Hito Steyerl.

Comprising over 800 works by more than 100 international and Slovenian artists, the works in the collection reflect a multitude of perspectives and lived experiences from the post-1945 era to the present day, ranging from historical, sociological, and philosophical viewpoints to deeply personal artistic narratives.

The building occupies a singular position within the historic town of Bled, beneath its medieval castle and close to Lake Bled, with the Julian Alps providing a breathtaking backdrop. Surrounded by trees, the building sits at the heart of a natural clearing, embedded in the hillside, with a garden to the rear that will host key sculptures from the collection, allowing visitors to experience art in a natural setting. 

© David Chipperfield Architects

The design responds to both the alpine landscape and the size and specifications of the artworks in the collection. The roof profile echoes the topography of the land and provides a distinct visual identity. As the organizing element of the building, the roof lends coherence to the external form and guides north light into the galleries within. The staggered volumes are informed by the museum’s spatial organization, ensuring galleries are responsive to circulation routes and creating a visually engaging massing that relates to the landscape. A series of external spaces are integrated into the form, each with their own distinct atmosphere that together establish a deep connection between the building and the landscape.

Muzej Lah will function not only as a venue for exhibitions but also as a dynamic cultural institution serving both the local community and international audiences. The museum will comprise a library, research center, restaurant, retail space, and versatile galleries capable of accommodating exhibitions, performances, concerts, film screenings, and educational initiatives. Through its multifaceted programming, Muzej Lah seeks to foster critical and reflective engagement with contemporary notions of time and humanity.

© Jošt Gantar / Muzej Lah

“In building the Fundacija Lah art collection over three decades, we also dreamt that one day we’d be able to create a space where these artworks could be shared and discovered. We wanted to create an institution in Slovenia where visitors from near and far could come together to think and be inspired, a place for the local community and international visitors that celebrates art and brings together some of the greatest artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. It has been a labour of love to see our dream come to life in Bled, a home and deeply reflective place for us.

In choosing Sir David Chipperfield, we sought an architect whose work, which we have long admired, embodies principles and values we share

and hold dear—discourse, clarity, rigour, and quiet power. From the very beginning, there was no question in our minds that it had to be David.
It is a true honour to be working with someone whose architecture speaks so profoundly to the spirit of art and place. His ability and vision to create spaces of both dignity and intimacy made him the ideal partner. We look forward to welcoming everyone next summer.”

Igor & Mojca Lah, Founders of Muzej Lah

“The location of the museum in the beautiful landscape near Bled Castle inspired our design approach. The various volumes of the building are unified by a series of sloping tiled roofs that tie the museum into its hillside setting. The building is defined by a series of rooms, courtyards and terraces that both create an ideal setting for the collection and give the visitor a strong sense of the surrounding landscape. We look forward to the museum becoming an important cultural amenity for the region and yet another reason for people to visit this beautiful town.”

Sir David Chipperfield

“Muzej Lah will be a major asset for Bled, and we in the town have not yet grasped the magnitude of this addition. The area around the castle hill will be enhanced by additional cultural and artistic offerings that we, as a local community, could never have presented to residents and visitors on our own. Muzej Lah will enable visitors to spend additional time in Bled. Many who are drawn to contemporary art will come to Bled solely because of this new attraction. I believe that even outside the peaks of the tourist season—when Bled can be experienced in a completely different, deeper, more immersive way—this will hold true. For locals from the nearby and broader surroundings, not only for our own citizens, Muzej Lah will be a unique opportunity. Being able to visit something in one’s own region for which others will travel far from is certainly an advantage and will be an inspiration. The museum will provide the space and opportunity—for education, admiration, and for expanding our understanding and appreciation of contemporary art’s messages.”

Anton Mežan, Mayor of the Municipality of Bled

“The construction of Muzej Lah in the precinct of Bled Castle represents an important cultural milestone for both Bled and the wider region. Set in a mystical historic landscape—an enclave bearing the oldest traces of human habitation—this prestigious museum of contemporary art will bring a fresh artistic dynamic and open a space for dialogue between tradition and modernity. Through its presence, it will bolster the development of architectural and cultural tourism, thereby significantly enhancing the cultural value of the town.”

Lea Ferjan, Director of the Bled Culture Institute