Explore the former home of a Yugoslav intellectual giant
Enter the very apartment where Otto Bihalji-Merin - a prominent Yugoslav art historian, writer and cultural theorist - lived and worked with his wife Lisa for almost 50 years. Today, this intimate space has been transformed into a center for art, research and conservation, housing a valuable archive, a spacious library and a carefully curated art collection of global significance.
Tour of the permanent exhibition: 20th Century Art Across Continents
You will see a permanent exhibition of 95 selected works of art, representing a diverse spectrum of movements and creators of the 20th century. From masterpieces of Yugoslav modernism and naive art to rare works from non-European cultures, the collection reflects Bihalji-Merin’s visionary and inclusive approach to art.
Learn more about his role as a painter, editor, anti-fascist and leading voice in promoting art from the margins – long before it became a recognized field.
Exclusive Access: Exhibitions of Marginal, Outsider and Art Brut Artists
As part of your visit, you can also experience one of our temporary exhibitions, which focus on marginal, outsider and art brut artists. These rotating exhibitions present visionary creators from Serbia and beyond, offering an alternative perspective on creativity that questions conventional boundaries in the art world.
Understand the vision of the Museum of Naïve and Marginal Art
The Salon is the official headquarters of the Museum of Naïve and Marginal Art. This offers visitors a rare opportunity to understand how Serbia became a global center for the preservation and celebration of unconventional art. Through the story of Bihalji-Merin and the institution he helped shape, you will gain insight into a unique chapter in European cultural history.
Why visit the Otto Bihalji-Merin Salon?
Whether you are an art lover, a historian, or simply curious about creativity outside the mainstream, the Salon offers a deeply personal and stimulating experience.
Join us on an inspiring visit to one of Belgrade’s most original cultural spaces and discover how one man’s vision helped redefine the boundaries of modern art.
Location and introductions
Start your cultural journey at the entrance to the Otto Bihalji-Merin Salon, located in the center of Belgrade.
Important Notes
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Show your Belgrade e-pass at the counter to gain access to the Oto Bihalji- Merin salon in Belgrade.
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A visit to the Oto Bihalji- Merin salon in Belgrade takes an average of 30 minutes.
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Children with a Belgrade e-pass will be asked to present a photo ID.
At the Otto Bihalji-Merin salon in Belgrade Operating Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 18:00
Sunday: Closed
Location:
Click here to see location.
Nemanjina 3/10, Beograd 11000, Sırbistan
The permanent exhibition at the Salon Oto Bihalji-Merin presents 95 carefully selected works from the 20th century, featuring both Serbian and international naive and marginal art.
The Belgrade museum is housed in the very apartment where Oto Bihalji-Merin lived with his wife Lisa for nearly half of his life, making it both a cultural and historical landmark.
Oto Bihalji-Merin was one of the most influential Yugoslav intellectuals, an art critic, and a cultural promoter whose work greatly shaped the region’s artistic scene.
One museum is located in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, while the other is situated in Jagodina, a city known for its rich cultural heritage.
Serbia is home to two Museums of Naive and Marginal Art, each dedicated to preserving and showcasing this distinctive artistic style.