117m presidential superyacht Galeb completes rebuild into museum

The historic 117.3-metre superyacht Galeb –  once owned by Marshal Tito, president of the former Yugoslavia – has completed an extensive, five-year rebuild at Kraljevica Shipyard in Croatia. Galeb will now operate as a museum that displays the history of the ship, designed with public facilities such as a restaurant, cafè and accommodation.

After Tito's death, ownership of Galeb (which translates from Croatian as 'seagull') was transferred to the Montenegrin government following the break up of Yugoslavia. It was sold to Greek billionaire John Paul Papanicolaou, who owned Christina O, but was seized by the Croatian government in 2009 after he failed to cover berthing costs.

Galeb was set to be auctioned by the Croatian government at a starting price of £85,000. Had she been sold as scrap, she would have fetched at least £155,000, but her cultural heritage status meant she had to remain intact. Her owner, Papanicolaou, objected to this and took the case to the Supreme Court. She was then bought by the city of Rijeka, which announced plans to turn her into "a floating museum" at a cost of £8 million.

The project to convert Galeb began in December 2019 with Marine and Energy Solutions, though works were significantly delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Interior renovation was completed by Primat RD and Črnelić, while the yacht's original furniture was restored by "a specialised company" in agreement with the Conservation Department of the Ministry of Culture in Rijeka, Croatia.

The museum will open in the first half of 2025 and has been designed by Nikolina Jelavić Mitrović, who is known for his work on the City Museum of Vukovar and the Museum of Sinjska. 

Built in Genoa, Italy in 1938, Galeb started life as an auxiliary cruiser under the name Ramb III. The yacht suffered bombing damage in World War II and was refurbished and repurposed as a school ship for the Yugoslav navy; it was at this point Tito commandeered the ship for his personal use on state matters.

Tito is said to have entertained over 100 world statesmen and women on board Galeb, including Colonel Gaddafi of Libya. Tito was not averse to a touch of Hollywood glamour, too, as he welcomed Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton at the height of their fame. 

Galeb also graced the Thames, mooring at Greenwich, on Tito’s state visit to the UK in 1953, the first by a communist leader.