About the Museum and Its Staff
Welcome to the Croatian Museum of Tourism!
Located in the heart of Opatija’s Angiolina Park, in a historic villa over 180 years old, this unique museum is dedicated to the phenomenon of tourism – its past, present, and its impact on our daily lives.
The Croatian Museum of Tourism tells the story of how tourism has shaped Croatia – our cities, communities, and culture – and how we, in turn, are transformed through travel and encounters with different people and customs.
Tourism is more than just leisure – it is a meeting of cultures, ideas, and experiences. We invite you to explore everything the museum has to offer: engaging exhibitions, projects, themed workshops and lectures, traveling displays, and various events.
Our museum is not just a place to observe – it’s a place to participate. Your stories, memories, and experiences – whether you are a traveler, a host, a tourism professional, or a resident of a tourist area – are part of our shared tourism heritage.
Discover the world of tourism from a unique perspective.
History of the Museum, Vision, and Mission
The Croatian Museum of Tourism is a specialized national-level museum institution that collects, preserves, researches, and presents both the tangible and intangible heritage of tourism.
The museum was founded by the City of Opatija and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, with the official founding decree issued on September 7, 2007. Vila Angiolina, the oldest villa in Opatija, is located in the central Opatija park and houses the museum’s headquarters and exhibition spaces.
We envision the Croatian Museum of Tourism as an open, modern institution that encourages citizens to participate creatively and critically, while also inviting artists, intellectuals, and others to engage in projects. Our goal is to create an educational institution that asks questions and proposes research-based answers – offering children a space to learn in a fun and interactive way. Additionally, we aim to collaborate with other institutions, artists, and individuals from across Croatia and abroad to carry out joint projects that explore the relationship between tourism, culture, and local communities, both past and present, while analyzing the positive and negative trends of this interaction.
The mission of the Croatian Museum of Tourism is to collect tangible and intangible artifacts from the tourism history of Opatija and Croatia and to bring this history to life today through exhibitions, workshops, roundtables, and research. These activities open new perspectives on the interaction between tourism, local communities, and culture, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of social relations and trends.
Vila Angiolina
One of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Opatija, Vila Angiolina is a true architectural and cultural treasure. Located within the magnificent Angiolina Park – a renowned arboretum and one of the finest examples of landscaped horticultural heritage in Croatia – the villa stands out with its elegant historicist style and Neo-Renaissance architectural details.
Built in the mid-19th century in the Palladian style, the villa features a harmonious symmetrical structure with a monumental staircase and views of the central part of the park, where an attractive floral rotunda is located. The ground floor interior is richly decorated with stuccoes, Neo-Corinthian columns, and painted motifs inspired by nature – making the ground floor itself a true work of art and an exhibition space.
History of the Villa
History of the Villa
The villa was originally built by the Scarpa family, a merchant family from Rijeka, on the site of the former maritime house of Matija Justija Katičić, which is mentioned as early as 1837. Thanks to the Scarpa family’s hospitality and the villa’s attractive location, it quickly became a popular gathering place for guests from Rijeka and the surrounding area.
Over time, Vila Angiolina changed ownership several times. From the Scarpa family, it was purchased in 1875 by Count Viktor Chorinsky, who owned it for seven years before selling it to the Southern Railways Company, which invested in Opatija’s development. In 1910, the villa was sold to the Joint Stock Company of Inns and Spa Institutions of Opatija in Vienna and later used by the Opatija Spa Committee, then by the Italian administration’s Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno. After World War II, it had multiple users, including the Tourist and Hospitality Chamber for the Rijeka District, the Opatija Subcommittee, the Tourist Society and Bureau of Opatija, the Viktor Car Emin Reading Room and Library, Pozornica Opatija, Villa Angiolina d.o.o., and the Opatija Festival. Since 2007, it has been the home of the Croatian Museum of Tourism. Throughout these changes, the villa has maintained its prestige and remained a symbol of Opatija and its tourism development.
Current Use
Vila Angiolina has three floors totaling approximately 1,000 m². The representative ground floor is an exhibition in itself due to its lavish interior decoration. The first floor hosts museum and exhibition spaces, while the attic houses the museum’s offices.
In addition to serving as the headquarters of the Croatian Museum of Tourism, the villa is used for cultural events, official meetings, and special occasions, making it a living space where the past, present, and future meet.
Collections
Come and visit us to explore our exhibitions and take part in our diverse events!
Learn more about us and our programs here.