Fotoplastikon Warszawski
Historic photoplastikon with 24 stations for viewing three-dimensional pictures of old Warsaw, a branch of the Warsaw Rising Museum.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
A photoplastikon is a device for viewing stereoscopic, that is three-dimensional, photographs through special viewers. It was popular at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Such installations operated in many cities at that time, including Warsaw, where at least eight permanent venues existed at the beginning of the 20th century. The Warsaw photoplastikon at Aleje Jerozolimskie 51 was created at the beginning of the 20th century and operated with interruptions for a whole century. The tenement house in which it is located is one of the few buildings in the city centre that survived the war.
After the Second World War the device was run by a family, who looked after the photograph collection. After years of interruption the theatre was relaunched. In 2008 the family leased the device together with the collection to the Warsaw Rising Museum, and in 2012 the museum bought it. Since then the photoplastikon has operated as a branch of the museum; in 2013 a second hall was added.
The collection now numbers more than ten thousand three-dimensional photographs, ranging from views of travels around the world at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, through Warsaw in various periods, to contemporary works by well-known authors. Thematic exhibitions change at least once a month, and on Sundays and Mondays a permanent display of photographs of old Warsaw can be seen. The photoplastikon is also a venue for intimate concerts, lectures and workshops.
Highlights
- Historic device with 24 stations for viewing 3D photographs
- Collection of more than ten thousand stereoscopic photographs
- Permanent display of photographs of old Warsaw on Sundays and Mondays
- Thematic exhibitions changing at least once a month
- Free admission on Thursdays
Permanent exhibition
- Stała ekspozycja zdjęć dawnej Warszawy – Three-dimensional photographs of old Warsaw, viewed through stereoscopic viewers at the stations of the historic device; shown on Sundays and Mondays.
- Operated by
- Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 10 zł |
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| Reduced | 6 zł |
Free admission: Admission is free on Thursdays.
Holders of the Karta Warszawianki / Warszawiaka pay PLN 8, and holders of the young Warszawianka / young Warszawiak card pay PLN 5.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The photoplastikon is housed in a historic tenement house with the entrance from the courtyard. According to the city museums’ catalogue there is no lift and no access for wheelchair users. The website offers a Polish Sign Language interpreter.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 30 min |
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Centrum · 4-min walk
Metro line M1, Centrum station; tram and bus stops on Aleje Jerozolimskie.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Museum lessons were suspended in 2024. A visit takes about 30 minutes. |
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