Name: National Museum in Krakow
Address: al. 3 Maja 1, 30-062 Kraków, Poland
Telephone: 12 433 55 00
Rating: 4.5

3 permanent galleries displaying artworks & historical artifacts from Poland & elsewhere in Europe.

Rynek Główny

Karol Peszek

Joanna Anna

Kyle Ritchie

Michał Skarbiński

Ignacy Sedlak

Wawel Royal Castle

Zamek Królewski na Wawelu – Państwowe Zbiory Sztuki

Provided by Google

Sheila segni bertocchi

Kate

georges corre (Georges C.)

Stanisław Kuciel

Galeria Krakowska

Wawel Cathedral

Mikael F

Alison Williams

Michał Rydz

Michał Miłek

Silesian Zoological Park

The National Museum in Krakow was established in 1879, making it one of the oldest national museums in Poland.

Foundation Year

The museum's initial collection was housed in the upper floor of the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) in Krakow's Main Market Square.

First Location

The National Museum in Krakow comprises eleven separate branches, each with its own unique focus and collection, spread throughout the city and beyond.

Branches

The museum is home to Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine", one of Poland's most prized art possessions, housed in the Czartoryski Museum branch.

Lady with an Ermine

The National Museum boasts the largest collection of works by Stanisław Wyspiański, a prominent figure in the Young Poland movement, including paintings, drawings, and designs.

Extensive Collection

National Museum in Krakow

The National Museum in Krakow, a cornerstone of Poland's cultural heritage, distinguishes itself through its vast and diverse collection spread across numerous branches, each with a unique focus. Unlike many national museums, Krakow's institution isn't confined to a single building, but rather encompasses a network of specialized museums and galleries. The Main Building houses an impressive array of Polish art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including a significant collection of medieval altarpieces. A lesser-known treasure is the museum's extensive numismatic collection, showcasing the evolution of currency in Poland and beyond. The Czartoryski Museum, a branch of the National Museum, holds Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine," a masterpiece that draws international attention, yet its collection of ancient art and artifacts often goes unnoticed. The museum's commitment to preserving and showcasing Polish design is evident in its dedicated galleries, highlighting the country's contributions to furniture, ceramics, and textiles. The Emeryk Hutten-Czapski Museum, another branch, is dedicated to the history of Polish coinage and medals, offering a fascinating glimpse into the nation's economic and political past through its currency.

Introduction

The National Museum in Krakow, the oldest and largest museum in Poland bearing the title "national," significantly contributes to Krakow's rich cultural landscape. Established in 1879, its mission is to promote both Polish and foreign art, housing a collection of over 900,000 exhibits. As a key cultural institution, it comprises twelve branches, the oldest of which is the Sukiennice, also known as the Cloth Hall.

Among its holdings are three biographical departments and the world's best collection of Polish coins. The museum also features extensive collections of Polish and European art spanning from the 13th to the 20th centuries, alongside 250,000 manuscripts, old prints, books, and documents. Since 2016, the collection of the Princes Czartoryski has been an integral part of the National Museum, further enriching its cultural offerings.

The National Museum's Main Building is located at 3 Maja Street, and it has eleven other separate divisions throughout the city. One of the most popular is the Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art at Sukiennice, which houses a collection of some of the best-known paintings and sculptures of the Young Poland movement. Inaugurated in 2013, the Europeum showcases Western European paintings, including works by Brueghel, adding another layer to the museum's diverse cultural presentations. The National Museum stands as a cornerstone of Krakow's artistic and historical preservation efforts.

Cultural Institutions of Kraków

The National Museum in Krakow, established in 1879, stands as a repository of Poland's diverse artistic heritage, housing collections that encompass several hundred thousand items. These are primarily kept in the Main Building at 3 Maja Street, with eleven other separate divisions throughout the city, each contributing to the museum's rich tapestry of offerings. Among these divisions, the Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art at Sukiennice is particularly notable, showcasing paintings and sculptures from the Young Poland movement.

The museum's collections span various artistic periods and styles, reflecting Poland's cultural evolution. The Royal Chambers at Wawel, accessible to the public, feature art, period furniture, Polish and European paintings, collectibles, and a major collection of 16th-century monumental Flemish tapestries. The Wawel Treasury and Armoury displays Polish royal memorabilia, jewels, applied art, and arms from the 15th to 18th centuries, while the Wawel Eastern Collection features Turkish tents and military accessories.

Inaugurated in 2013, the Europeum division features Western European paintings, including works by Brueghel. The diversity of the National Museum in Krakow's collections provides a comprehensive overview of Polish and European art history, making it a significant cultural institution.

Collections Diversity

The National Museum in Krakow, established in 1879, stands as a cornerstone of Poland's artistic legacy, housing the largest collection of artworks in the country. Its main building at 3 Maja Street is the primary repository for hundreds of thousands of items, showcasing the breadth and depth of Polish artistic achievement. Among its eleven divisions, the Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art at Sukiennice holds a special place, featuring iconic paintings and sculptures from the Young Poland movement, a pivotal era in the nation's artistic evolution.

Beyond Sukiennice, the museum's reach extends to other significant locations, including the Jan Matejko Manor House in Krzesławice, dedicated to the life and work of the master painter. The Emeryk Hutten-Czapski Museum further enriches the museum's holdings, celebrating the legacy of this influential figure.

The National Museum's commitment to Polish art is also evident in its presentation of post-war architectural developments, including examples of buildings constructed during the latter half of the 20th century that have been listed as heritage monuments. This embrace of more recent artistic expressions demonstrates the museum's dedication to preserving and showcasing the entirety of Poland's artistic journey. The Europeum, inaugurated in 2013, adds another dimension by displaying Western European paintings, including works by Brueghel, providing context and comparison to Polish artistic achievements.

Polish Art Legacy

The National Museum in Krakow, established in 1879, stands as a repository of Polish art and history, reflecting the city's complex past. Krakow itself, once the capital of Poland from 1038, has been a center of Polish culture, witnessing pivotal moments in the nation's history. The museum's collections mirror this rich heritage, housing artworks that survived periods of conflict, including World War II, during which Krakow was the seat of Nazi Germany's General Government. Despite the war's devastation and the systematic destruction of Polish culture, the museum's holdings remained largely intact, a testament to the efforts of those who sought to preserve the nation's artistic legacy.

The museum's establishment and growth parallel Krakow's evolution through various political and social upheavals. From its early days under the Austro-Hungarian Empire to its role in the Second Polish Republic and the subsequent Communist era, the National Museum has served as a cultural anchor. The Socialist realism movement, which influenced art and architecture in Poland from 1949 to 1956, left its mark on the city, but the museum continued to showcase a broader range of artistic styles, preserving pre-socialist realist works. Today, the National Museum in Krakow stands as a symbol of Polish resilience and cultural continuity, bridging the past and present through its extensive collections.

National Museum in Krakow

Did You Know?

Foundation Year

First Location

Branches

Lady with an Ermine

Highlights from Reviews

Location