Dom Uphagena

About the museum

In 1775 Johann Uphagen bought the townhouse at ul. Długa 12 and modernised it until 1787 to suit his means and needs. He lived here until his death in 1802. The house then remained in the hands of one family throughout the 19th century, which was rare at the time.

In 1911 a museum was opened in the house, which operated until 1944, when German conservators evacuated its interiors. In March 1945 the townhouse was destroyed together with much of the city. The reconstruction and furnishing were carried out in 1992–1996 with the participation of the Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej (Polish-German Cooperation Foundation). The museum, then named the Muzeum Wnętrz Mieszczańskich (Museum of Burgher Interiors), reopened in June 1998. It is the only 18th-century townhouse in Poland open to visitors, and one of the few in Europe.

On the ground floor you will see the hall, the merchant’s former office, which now houses the museum shop, and the kitchen and pantry. On the first floor are the representative salons with panelling and damask, including a room with an English candelabrum, a large dining room with mythological motifs and three small salons, one of which served as a music room. On the second floor are the former bedrooms and a small salon used for temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• The only 18th-century townhouse in Poland open to visitors
• Representative salons with panelling, textiles and stucco
• Large dining room with mythological scenes
• Kitchen and pantry with period equipment
• Cotton gloves and magnifying glasses to borrow

Permanent exhibition

• Wnętrza mieszczańskie Domu Uphagena – The tour leads through the reconstructed 18th-century interiors of the merchant’s townhouse, from the kitchen and pantry to the representative salons and dining rooms with panelling.

Operated by

Muzeum Gdańska

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Monday – free admission for all visitors.

Admission is free for, among others, children up to age 7, people with disabilities and their carers, holders of the Karta Polaka, members of ICOM and ICOMOS and journalists with a press card. In organised groups one guide per group and one carer per 10 people enter free. On Mondays admission is free for all visitors.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Wheelchair users can visit only the ground floor: the kitchen, the pantry, the cook’s room and the courtyard. The toilets are not adapted, because the doors are very narrow and there is no room for manoeuvring. There is an induction loop at the ticket desk. Cotton gloves for touching selected exhibits, magnifying glasses, two walkers and crutches are available to borrow. In the Small Dining Room an audio description of the portraits of the Chodowiecki family is available.

Kids & families

A family ticket is available; children up to age 7 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The house stands at ul. Długa 12 in the Main Town (Główne Miasto) of Gdańsk.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop is on the ground floor, in the merchant’s former office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit