Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMSU) is one of the leading cultural institutions in Rijeka, the Croatian port city on the Kvarner Gulf. Housed in a converted industrial complex, the museum holds more than eight thousand works of art spanning from the 19th century to the present day.

How do you get to the museum?

MMSU sits at Krešimirova 26c, roughly a fifteen-minute walk from the Korzo, Rijeka's main pedestrian promenade, and the old town. It's an easy addition to a walking tour of the city center — pair it with a stroll through the harbor area or a trip up to the Trsat hillside. Rijeka functions as the transport hub of the Kvarner coast, so visitors coming from Opatija, Krk, or Cres can reach the museum without much of a detour.

What is the history behind the museum?

The institution was founded in 1948 as the Gallery of Fine Art, first opening to the public in the Governor's Palace, then serving as the city's House of Culture. In 1956 the collection moved to the second floor of the University Library on Dolac Street. The name changed several times over the decades: to Modern Gallery in 1962, to Modern Gallery Rijeka – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 1999, and to its current name, MMSU, in 2003.

The turning point came in 2017, when the museum relocated to its present home in the refurbished former Rikard Benčić industrial complex. The renovation was designed by architect Dinko Peračić, and the raw, spacious factory architecture now provides a striking counterpoint to the modern artworks displayed inside.

What will you see in the collection?

MMSU's holdings are organized into ten distinct thematic collections comprising more than eight thousand objects in total. The core focus is art connected to Rijeka and the wider Kvarner region from the 19th century onward, but the museum also situates this work within the broader context of Croatian and international modern art and postmodernism. Expect paintings, sculpture, and multimedia installations alongside other forms of contemporary visual art spanning roughly the last hundred years.

The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that pair local artists with internationally recognized names, so it's worth checking the current program before visiting — the permanent collection is only part of what MMSU has to offer.

When should you visit, and what does it cost?

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 12 pm to 6 pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays. A standard ticket costs 6 euros, while a reduced ticket for children up to 18 and students costs 2 euros.

Because the museum doesn't open until noon, it fits naturally into an afternoon itinerary — spend the morning exploring the old town or the harbor, then head to MMSU once it opens for an unhurried visit.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is MMSU located? The museum is at Krešimirova 26c in Rijeka, inside the former Rikard Benčić factory complex, in the city's new cultural district.

How long does a visit take? Seeing the permanent collection and current temporary exhibitions typically takes between one and two hours, depending on how many shows are on at the time.

Is the museum open on Mondays? No, MMSU is closed on Mondays and public holidays, so plan your visit for another day of the week.

Are there discounts for children and students? Yes — a reduced ticket priced at 2 euros applies to children up to 18 and students, while the standard admission price is 6 euros.