Renovation of Rijeka Railway Station Interior to Begin in Late August 2026
Works worth around three million euros plus VAT officially start at the end of August, with passengers expected to see fully renovated spaces by spring 2027.
Works worth around three million euros plus VAT officially start at the end of August, with passengers expected to see fully renovated spaces by spring 2027.
After a long wait and a series of obstacles, the renovation of the interior of the railway station building in Rijeka is entering its final phase. The Corporate Communications Department of HŽ Infrastruktura has confirmed that works on the passenger areas will officially begin in late August 2026, giving this protected architectural heritage monument a new lease on life.
The contract with the contractor, valued at around three million euros plus VAT, was signed back in April 2026. Prior to that, a new open public procurement procedure was conducted in the second half of 2025 and early 2026. According to the plan, passengers should see fully renovated spaces by spring 2027.
Preparatory activities are currently underway at the station, which do not affect regular train operations. These primarily involve preliminary restoration work in the station's vestibule.
The Rijeka railway station is under strict protection by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia due to its exceptional architectural and historical significance. All works must be carried out in accordance with strictly defined rules and under the continuous supervision of the Conservation Department in Rijeka.
The renovation has so far been marked by surprising yet highly significant discoveries. During earlier phases of work on the building, original murals and rich decorative plaster were found, leading to additional conservation requirements and extended research. These restoration discoveries, along with the sharp rise in construction material costs over the past few years, caused a temporary halt to other works.
After conservators prepared and approved the complete project documentation for the interior renovation, covering the vestibule, central waiting room, and passages to the platforms, a challenging procurement process followed. The first tender was launched in May 2024 but was canceled in July of the same year because all submitted bids significantly exceeded the estimated procurement value. However, thanks to budget adjustments and a new investment plan, funds were secured, and a new public tender was announced, culminating in the signing of the contract in April.
With this renovation, Rijeka will not only enhance its transport infrastructure and improve services for passengers but also preserve and appropriately showcase the exceptional cultural heritage embedded in the walls of its main railway station.
