Krakow is considered as cultural capital of Poland. Thanks to it own long history, and people who lived and developed different brunches of cultural, social, economical or technological life, Krakow now have many amazing museums. Where we can go deeper in past, to understand life of people who are not here, but created amazing things. Its why we prepared list of best museum of Krakow.
Table of Contents:
1. Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle is one of most important monuments in Krakow. Most famous Polish stronghold, transformed into National Museum.
Wawel hill from XVIII was an place where was located seat of Wislan tribe ruler. Its unknown exactly when Castle was build. From early stage of Polish Kingdom was most important places in country. Where kings ruled own country.
Castle was rebuild so many times. That archaeologists do not fully agree how exactly Castle looked in XVIII century.
First building were constructed in Romanesque style. To be later rebuild into Gothic, also new Gothic buildings were erected. Castle was enlarged and developed with each century. Its right that until XIX century was visible that it had something from each architectural styles from XVIII century.
Nowadays Castle was restored after WW II, and its open to visitors. Where visitors can visit 12 expositions, as like: Royal Chambers, Royal Armoury, Treasury, Eastern Art, Cathedral and Mausoleum, Lost Wawel, Royal Gardens and Dragon Lair.
Visiting Castle is important part of most tourists who come first time to Krakow. As number of tickets are limited, its always better book them online or come really early to buy them in Museum.
2. Colegium Maius – Museum of Jagiellonian University
Colegium Maius is a museum located in the city of Krakow, Poland. It is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, which was founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great.
The museum is located in the heart of the Old Town, just a few steps away from the Main Market Square, and is an important cultural and historical attraction in the city.
The museum occupies the buildings of the old Colegium Maius, which was the main center of the Jagiellonian University in the Middle Ages.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artifacts, documents, and objects related to the history of the university and the city of Krakow. Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of the university, the history of science and medicine in Poland, and the history of the city of Krakow.
One of the highlights of the museum is the Great Lecture Hall, which is the oldest lecture hall in Poland. It was built in the 14th century and is still used for academic purposes today.
Visitors can also see the beautiful gardens of the museum, which were created in the 16th century and are considered to be one of the most beautiful in the city.
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum also hosts a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, featuring the work of contemporary artists and scholars. The museum also has a library, which contains a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and other documents related to the history of the university and the city of Krakow.
3. Polish Aviation Museum
Museum was established in 1964 in place of old Krakow Airport in Czyżyny district. Museum have airfield and hangars with various expositions. Polish Aviation Museum have more then 200 aircrafts in own collection.
The Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, also known as the Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego w Krakowie, is a world-renowned museum dedicated to the history of aviation in Poland. Located in the suburb of Kraków-Balice, the museum houses a collection of over 200 aircraft, as well as a variety of aviation-related artifacts, documents, and interactive exhibits.
The museum was founded in 1964 and has grown to become one of the largest and most comprehensive aviation museums in the world. Its collection includes a wide range of aircraft, from the earliest gliders and biplanes to modern jet fighters.
Visitors can see a variety of aircraft on display, including planes used by the Polish military and civilian aviation, as well as planes from other countries.
Besides aircraft on display, the museum also has a number of interactive exhibits and activities. These include flight simulators, hands-on exhibits, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.
The museum also has a library, which contains a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and other documents related to the history of aviation in Poland.
One of the highlights of the museum is the hangar, which is home to a number of historic aircraft, including the PZL P.7, a Polish-designed fighter plane that was used during World War II, and the Antonov An-2, a Soviet-designed transport plane that was widely used in Eastern Europe during the Cold War. The museum also has a number of outdoor exhibits, including a replica of the Wright brothers’ Wright Flyer and a number of military vehicles.
Overall, the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the history of aviation. It is a fascinating and educational museum that offers a unique glimpse into the rich history of this important field.
4. Homeland Army Museum in Krakow
The Homeland Army Museum in Krakow, also known as the Muzeum Armii Krajowej w Krakowie, is a museum dedicated to the history of the Polish resistance during World War II
Located in the city center of Krakow, the museum occupies the former headquarters of the Home Army, which was the main resistance movement in Poland during the war.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artifacts, documents, and objects related to the history of the Home Army and the Polish resistance. Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of the Home Army, the history of the Polish resistance during World War II, and the history of the city of Krakow during the war.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibition on the Warsaw Uprising, which was a major resistance operation launched by the Home Army in 1944. The exhibition includes a number of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the uprising, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs.
The museum also hosts a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, featuring the work of contemporary artists and scholars.
The museum also has a library, which contains a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and other documents related to the history of the Home Army and the Polish resistance during World War II.
Overall, the Homeland Army Museum in Krakow is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the history of World War II and the Polish resistance. It is a fascinating and educational museum that offers a unique glimpse into the rich history of this important period.
5. Archaeological Museum of Krakow
The Archaeological Museum of Krakow, also known as the Muzeum Archeologiczne w Krakowie, is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the region of Krakow and its surroundings.
Located in the city center of Krakow, the museum occupies a beautiful 19th-century building that was once the home of the city’s Academy of Fine Arts.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artifacts, documents, and objects related to the history and culture of the region.
Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of Krakow and its surroundings, the history of archaeology in Poland, and the history of ancient cultures in the region.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibition on the history of Krakow, which covers the city’s rich history from its origins to the present day. The exhibition includes a number of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the city’s history, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs.
6. Ethnographic Museum of Krakow
The Ethnographic Museum of Krakow, also known as the Muzeum Etnograficzne w Krakowie, is a museum dedicated to the culture and traditions of the people of Krakow and its surroundings.
Located in the city center of Krakow, the museum occupies a beautiful 19th-century building that was once the home of the city’s Academy of Fine Arts.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artifacts, documents, and objects related to the culture and traditions of the people of Krakow and its surroundings.
Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of the region, the traditions and customs of the local people, and the history of the city of Krakow.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibition on the traditions and customs of the local people, which covers a wide range of topics, including folk art, music, dance, and crafts. The exhibition includes a number of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the traditions and customs of the region, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs.
Overall, the Ethnographic Museum of Krakow is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the culture and traditions of the region. It is a fascinating and educational museum that offers a unique glimpse into the rich culture anda history of this important city and its surroundings.
If you’re interested in learning more about Krakow, read also:
7. Main Square Underground
The Main Square Underground Museum, also known as the Muzeum pod Ratuszem, is a museum located in the city center of Krakow, Poland.
It is located underneath the Main Market Square, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The museum occupies a series of underground tunnels and chambers that were discovered during the restoration of the Main Market Square in the 1970s.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artifacts, documents, and objects related to the history of the city of Krakow. Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of the Main Market Square, the history of the city of Krakow, and the history of the region.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibition on the history of the Main Market Square, which covers the square’s rich history from its origins to the present day.
The exhibition includes a number of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the square’s history, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs.
8. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum, also known as the Muzeum Fabryka Emalia Oskara Schindlera, is a museum located in the city of Krakow, Poland. It is located in the former enamel factory of Oskar Schindler, which was used to produce pots and pans during World War II.
The museum is dedicated to the history of the factory and the story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who is credited with saving the lives of over 1,200 Jewish workers during the war.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artefacts, documents, and objects related to the history of the factory and the story of Oskar Schindler. Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of the factory, the story of Oskar Schindler, and the history of the Holocaust in Poland.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibition on the story of Oskar Schindler, which covers his life and his efforts to save the lives of Jewish workers during the war. The exhibition includes a number of artefacts, documents, and photographs related to Schindler’s story, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the history of the Holocaust and the story of Oskar Schindler. It is a fascinating and educational museum that offers a unique glimpse into this important period in history. Check also Oskar Schindler factory tour.
9. Sukiennice Museum
The Sukiennice Museum, also known as the Muzeum Historyczne Miasta Krakowa w Sukiennicach, is a museum located in the city center of Krakow, Poland.
It is located in the Sukiennice, a historic building that was once a cloth hall and is now one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The museum is dedicated to the history of the city of Krakow and its region.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artifacts, documents, and objects related to the history of the city of Krakow and its region.
Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of the city of Krakow, the history of the region, and the history of Poland.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibition on the history of the city of Krakow, which covers the city’s rich history from its origins to the present day. The exhibition includes a number of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the city’s history, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs.
Sukiennice Museum is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the history of Krakow and its region. It is a fascinating and educational museum that offers a unique glimpse into the rich history of this important city and its surroundings.
10. PRL Communism Museum
The PRL Communism Museum in Krakow, also known as the Muzeum PRL-u w Krakowie, is a museum dedicated to the history of communism in Poland.
Located in the city center of Krakow, the museum occupies a beautiful 19th-century building that was once the home of the city’s Academy of Fine Arts.
The museum’s collection includes a wealth of artefacts, documents, and objects related to the history of communism in Poland.
Visitors can see a variety of exhibitions, including the history of communism in Poland, the history of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL), and the impact of communism on Polish society.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibition on the history of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL), which covers the country’s history under communist rule from 1952 to 1989. The exhibition includes a number of artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the PRL, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs.
11. Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow
he Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, also known as MOCAK, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in modern and contemporary art. Located in the heart of Krakow, Poland, MOCAK is housed in a striking modern building that was designed by Polish architects KKM Kewecki Kowalczyk Malicki.
Upon entering MOCAK, visitors are immediately struck by the open, airy design of the museum, which features large windows that allow natural light to flood the galleries. The museum’s collection is expansive and varied, featuring works by both Polish and international artists.
One of the highlights of MOCAK’s collection is its focus on Polish artists from the post-war period, including Tadeusz Kantor and Edward Krasinski. The museum also has a strong representation of international artists, including Joseph Beuys, Tracey Emin, and Ai Weiwei.
Do you visited all above museums already ? Write about your experiences in the comments.
