Muzeum Dom Rodziny Pileckich
Narrative museum in the restored family home of Maria Pilecka in Ostrów Mazowiecka, dedicated to Captain Witold Pilecki and the history of the Ostrów Land.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was established by a resolution of the Ostrów Mazowiecka City Council in April 2016. In May 2016 the city bought the property with the family home of Maria Pilecka, née Ostrowska, the wife of Captain Witold Pilecki, and handed it over for the museum's purposes. Maria Pilecka spent the years of the occupation in this house with the children, until 1948. The museum is run jointly by the city and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, which financed more than 90 per cent of the costs of the building and the permanent exhibition.
The revitalised house, with a new exhibition building, was opened to visitors on 2 November 2022. The museum documents and disseminates knowledge about the lives of Witold and Maria Pilecki, about the values and tradition of the idea of independence, and about the history of the Ostrów Land and north-eastern Masovia.
The permanent exhibition presents Pilecki as a scout, landowner, soldier, husband and father. It also shows the local history of the region, including German crimes against the Jewish population of Ostrów Mazowiecka in November 1939 and against Poles in the village of Lipniak-Majorat. The visit is supported by tactile elements, sound material and multimedia with subtitles. The museum also runs extensive educational, publishing and exhibition activities, and since 2025 has belonged to ICOM and the Stowarzyszenie Muzealników Polskich (Polish Association of Museum Professionals).
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on Witold and Maria Pilecki in their family home
- History of the Ostrów Land and north-eastern Masovia
- Tactile elements, including a 3D-printed scout cross, and sound material
- Multimedia with subtitles and educators trained to work with people with disabilities
- Free admission on Saturdays
Permanent exhibition
- Wystawa stała Muzeum Dom Rodziny Pileckich – Narrative exhibition on Witold Pilecki as a scout, landowner, soldier, husband and father, and on the history of the Ostrów Land and north-eastern Masovia, including German crimes during the occupation.
- Founded
- 2016
- Operated by
- Miasto Ostrów Mazowiecka i Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego (współprowadzone)
- Director
- Karolina Kolbuszewska
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 18 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 10 zł |
| Children & teens | 1 złfree up to age 6 · Children up to age 7 enter free; pupils and students aged 8–26 pay PLN 1. |
| Students & apprentices | 1 złPupils and students aged 8–26 pay PLN 1. |
| Families | –25% discount on the standard ticket for holders of the Karta Dużej Rodziny (Large Family Card). |
Free admission: On Saturdays admission is free.
The price list applies from 1 January 2025. The discount for holders of the Karta Dużej Rodziny (Large Family Card) applies only to the standard ticket.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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: not available
Almost the whole exhibition, except one room in the attic, is accessible to wheelchair users; there is a lift between levels 0 and –1. The education team is trained to work with people with visual impairments; the exhibition has tactile elements and numerous sound materials, and audio description is being prepared. All multimedia materials have subtitles for deaf visitors. The museum has experience in running activities for children on the autism spectrum and for people with intellectual disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The museum offers craft workshops for families, a self-guided educational outdoor game around Ostrów Mazowiecka, a holiday programme and an annual celebration of Witold Pilecki's birthday. Children up to age 7 enter free, and admission is free on Saturdays.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Dworzec Autobusowy w Ostrowi Mazowieckiej · 15-min walk
By bus to the Ostrów Mazowiecka bus station (plac Ludwika Waryńskiego), then about 15 minutes on foot; the museum advises against services that stop only on ul. Lubiejewska, as it is much farther away from there.
By car
Parking available
Along the street there are two large parking bays on either side of the gate, for cars and coaches.
The museum lies near the S8 route, halfway between Warsaw and Białystok. From the S8 take the exit to Ostrów Mazowiecka, turn right into ul. Różańska, and at the Captain Witold Pilecki roundabout turn right again by the Jordan garden; the first gate on the right leads to the museum grounds.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum runs an online shop with publications.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Individual and small-group visits are possible during opening hours; bookings can be made at rezerwacje@muzeumpileckich.pl or by telephone. School groups visit with workshops (2 hours for grades I–VI, 2.5 hours for grades VII–VIII and secondary schools). The museum runs museum lessons, workshops for families and an outdoor game. |
