Rijeka City Museum

The Rijeka City Museum is one of the key cultural institutions in Rijeka, Croatia, telling the story of the city's development from the 18th through the 21st century.

Where is the museum located?

The museum sits right in the heart of Rijeka, inside the park surrounding the Governor's Palace, in a striking modernist building designed in 1976 by architect Neven Šegvić specifically to house the collection. The building itself is known as the Sugar Palace, a name that recalls the site's earlier life as the seat of the city's former sugar refinery. That layered history — industrial past meeting purpose-built modern architecture — makes the structure worth noticing even before stepping inside.

What will you see inside?

The permanent exhibition spans 30 rooms across two floors, covering roughly 1,200 square metres in total. Visitors move through the city's economic and political transformations, its growth in education and science, and its cultural and sporting life across more than two centuries. Rather than focusing on a single theme, the museum presents Rijeka as a whole social and civic organism, which makes it a good starting point for understanding the city before exploring its streets further.

It's worth knowing that the museum actually operates across three sites. Alongside the main building in the Sugar Palace, part of the collection is displayed in the Žabica district, inside a former railway depot hall — home to an exhibition dedicated to the Rijeka torpedo, one of the inventions most closely tied to the city's industrial reputation. A third venue, referred to as the Cube, hosts temporary exhibitions and special projects.

When should you visit, and what does it cost?

The museum works well as part of a walk through central Rijeka, since its location inside the Governor's Palace park makes it easy to combine with other downtown sights. A standard adult ticket costs 7.9 euros. Visitors also curious about the torpedo exhibition can opt for a combined ticket with the Torpedo Museum for 10.6 euros — a sensible choice if you plan to see both parts of the collection in one day. Admission is free for visitors with disabilities.

A short history of the institution

The name "City Museum of Rijeka" has been in use since 11 April 1994, when the institution — previously known as the Museum of the People's Revolution of Rijeka — was renamed. The change reflected a broader shift in the museum's purpose: from an institution focused on a single chapter of history to one presenting the city's story in a far wider and more layered way.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to the Rijeka City Museum? The museum is located in the city centre, inside the park by the Governor's Palace, so it's easiest to reach on foot while walking through downtown Rijeka.

How long does a visit take? Given the size of the exhibition — 30 rooms across two floors — plan on at least an hour to ninety minutes, more if you also want to see the torpedo exhibition in Žabica.

Is the combined ticket with the Torpedo Museum worth it? Yes, if you want the fuller picture of Rijeka's industrial history — the combined ticket costs 10.6 euros and covers both exhibitions.

What is "the Cube"? It's the museum's third exhibition space, used for temporary shows and special projects, separate from the permanent exhibition in the Sugar Palace.