Muzeum Archidiecezji Warszawskiej

About the museum

The Museum of the Archdiocese of Warsaw was founded in 1938, and its first seat was in three townhouses on ul. Kanonia. The collections were destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising. The institution was revived in 1978 on the initiative of Primate Stefan Wyszyński, and from 1980 it was housed in the former monastic building of the Trinitarians next to the Church of the Holy Trinity. During the years of martial law the museum was a meeting place supporting freedom of speech.

In 2014 the transfer of the collections to the Dean’s Palace at ul. Dziekania 1 began; the palace was renovated and extended in connection with the renovation of the archcathedral of St John the Baptist. The museum began operating in its new seat in January 2016. The building, the former presbytery of St John’s Church, was rebuilt after the war in 1966–1968; it has three storeys with a total area of about 1,200 square metres.

The collection, gathered entirely through donations and deposits, includes more than 20 thousand exhibits: paintings, graphics, sculpture, textiles, coins and goldsmiths’ work. The permanent exhibition shows, among other things, woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer from 1498–1511, “Pokłon pasterzy” (Adoration of the Shepherds) by Francesco Bassano from 1575, paintings by Matejko, Wyspiański and Malczewski, contemporary Polish painting, and memorabilia of Stefan Wyszyński and John Paul II.

Highlights

• Woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer from 1498–1511
• “Pokłon pasterzy” (Adoration of the Shepherds) by Francesco Bassano (1575)
• Polish painting: Matejko, Wyspiański, Malczewski, Czapski
• Memorabilia of Primate Stefan Wyszyński and John Paul II
• Collection of furniture and clocks from the 17th–19th centuries

Permanent exhibition

• Wystawa stała Muzeum Archidiecezji Warszawskiej – Sacred and secular art from the 15th century onwards: Dürer’s woodcuts, Polish and European painting, contemporary Polish art, furniture and clocks, and memorabilia of Wyszyński and John Paul II.

Founded

1938

Operated by

Archidiecezja Warszawska

Admission & discounts

Standard and reduced tickets cover the permanent and temporary exhibitions; the Warsaw Pass is accepted. A combined ticket with the archcathedral crypts is also available.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building has a lift and a ramp for wheelchairs. The museum offers guided tours in Polish Sign Language.

Kids & families

The museum offers museum lessons for schools and family tickets.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Dean’s Palace between the Royal Castle and the archcathedral of St John the Baptist; the last stretch of the route runs on foot through the Old Town.

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