Krapina Museum Gets Rooftop Pavilion with Bistro and Summer Stage
A €4.5 million renovation brings new amenities to one of Europe's richest archaeological sites, and the museum will remain open to visitors during the works.
A €4.5 million renovation brings new amenities to one of Europe's richest archaeological sites, and the museum will remain open to visitors during the works.
An upgrade of the Krapina Neanderthal Museum in Krapina, one of Croatia's most visited museum sites, has begun. The works are taking place on the building's roof, where a pavilion with a visitor center, summer stage, and catering facilities will be built, as reported by HRT Magazin on August 12, 2026.
The project is funded by European funds and the Ministry of Culture with €4.5 million, under the European Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme. The works are expected to be completed by next autumn.
Jurica Sabol, director of the Museum of Hrvatsko Zagorje, explained that it involves a modern exhibition gallery and a multifunctional hall for museum pedagogy intended for workshops. "Finally, we will also get a bistro right on the museum's roof. The surrounding area will also be landscaped," Sabol told HRT Magazin.
As part of the works, new access paths, a children's playground, and a summer stage with around 200 seats are also being built. The museum will remain open to visitors throughout the entire duration of the works, and admission is already free for the residents of Krapina, both young and old.
The Krapina Neanderthal Museum attracts around 100,000 tourists annually. Cornelie Leopolod from Germany noted that it is "nice to walk through the history of mankind," while Michal, a tourist from Poland, added: "My son and I love museums like this; I must bring him here one day."
However, visitors often seek additional amenities after the tour. "I'd gladly have a coffee," said the Polish tourist, which has often not been possible at the foot of this archaeological site until now. This is exactly what will change with the new rooftop bistro.
Nedjeljka Vodolšak, director of the Krapina Tourist Board, emphasized that the additional offering was one of the goals of the funding. "In previous years, we were a transit town, where Poles and Czechs came and went towards the Adriatic, but now the length of guests' stays has increased," she stated for HRT Magazin.
That the museum already has loyal visitors is confirmed by Eva Fekonja, who said: "I've been to the museum many times, many, many times, and I like the sculptures of prehistoric man that look real." After the works are completed, the new amenities will also be available to the local community.
