The museum is housed in the former residence of the Hungarian Governor, known as the Governor's Palace.
Architect Alajos Hauszmann, who designed the building, also worked on the Buda Castle in Budapest.
The palace facade is constructed from white stone sourced from the island of Brač.
During the post-WWI period, the palace served as the residence for Italian poet and nationalist Gabriele D'Annunzio during the Regency of Carnaro.
The museum collection includes a significant assemblage of prehistoric jewelry and pottery discovered at archaeological sites in the region.
The building was intentionally sited on a raised terrace to command a view of the Kvarner Gulf and the port of Rijeka.
It preserves a collection of ship models documenting the evolution of naval architecture in the Adriatic.
The interior contains a ceremonial hall with original 19th-century ceiling frescoes.
The Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Coast is housed within the Governor's Palace, a Neo-Renaissance building designed by architect Alajos Hauszmann and completed in 1896. Located in Rijeka, the institution preserves the maritime, cultural, and political heritage of the Kvarner region. The permanent collection features artifacts dating from prehistory through the 20th century. Key historical segments include displays on maritime trade, shipbuilding, and the turbulent political history of the city of Rijeka. The palace itself serves as a primary exhibit, featuring original ornate interiors, marble staircases, and period-appropriate decorative arts. It functions as the central regional museum for the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.
The main grand marble staircase in the central hall.
Explore the exterior gardens to see the unique architectural integration with the city's terrain.
Focus on the maritime history wing if you have limited time, as it is the most distinct part of the collection.
Inquire at the desk about temporary exhibition schedules, as they often utilize the palace's smaller side rooms.
Do not mistake the exterior architecture for an abandoned government building; it is a fully functioning public museum.
Closed on Mondays.
