Muzeum Diecezjalne w Toruniu

About the museum

The Muzeum Diecezjalne w Toruniu (Diocesan Museum in Toruń) was established by decree of the Bishop of Toruń on 2 April 2006. It is housed in a burgher townhouse at ul. Żeglarska 7, near the Cathedral of St John. The building was erected at the beginning of the 16th century as a typical Toruń dom-skład, a house combined with a storehouse, in which the living quarters were joined to storage space. Conservation and adaptation work lasted eight years. It was financed by the city and by a project for the protection and conservation of the Toruń Old Town, which is inscribed on the UNESCO list.

The museum was officially opened on 25 March 2014, and the first exhibition was made available to visitors on 20 December of the same year. During the renovation, many elements of the original decor were secured and displayed: the representative entrance hall, 18th-century stairs, a Gothic washbasin, a hypocaust, i.e. a medieval underfloor heating system, a polychrome ceiling and a built-in cupboard. The soot-blackened chimney flue can be seen from the glass lift.

The permanent exhibition shows sculptures, paintings and goldsmith’s works from churches of the Toruń diocese. These are works of sacred art from the Gothic period to the 19th century, an important part of the cultural heritage of Pomerania. In May 2023 the museum opened a branch in the former flat of Toruń artist Krystyna Szalewska-Gałdyńska at ul. Szeroka 9, where her work is presented.

Highlights

• contemporary copy of the lost Beautiful Madonna of Toruń
• “Cud nad Wisłą” (Miracle on the Vistula) by Jerzy Kossak from 1930
• historic townhouse with a polychrome ceiling, Gothic washbasin and hypocaust
• medieval art: painting, sculpture and goldsmith’s work from Toruń churches
• glass lift with a view of the soot-blackened chimney flue
• branch in the flat of artist Krystyna Szalewska-Gałdyńska

Permanent exhibitions

• Wystawa stała – sztuka sakralna Pomorza – Sculptures, paintings and goldsmith’s works from churches of the Toruń diocese, from the Gothic period to the 19th century, among them “Cud nad Wisłą” by Jerzy Kossak.
• Krystyna Szalewska-Gałdyńska – wystawa stała w filii przy ul. Szerokiej 9 – Graphics, paintings and etchings by the Toruń artist, presented in her former flat.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Diecezja Toruńska

Director

ks. kan. Zbigniew Walkowiak

Admission & discounts

Prices according to the price list published on the museum’s website. Tickets are bought at the museum’s ticket office; payment is possible in cash, by card or with BLIK.

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: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible for people with reduced mobility; the floors are connected by a glass lift built in the former chimney shaft.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

For primary school pupils (children aged 5–10, up to 25 people), the museum runs 60-minute museum lessons, including “Bajki muzealne” (Museum Fairy Tales) and “Na tropie artysty” (On the Artist’s Trail).

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Old Town, not far from the Cathedral of St John.

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