Muzeum Gry i Komputery Minionej Ery
Interactive museum in the building of the Świebodzki Railway Station, with computers, consoles and arcade machines from the 1970s to 1990s that visitors can play.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded by four enthusiasts of old games and equipment, together with friends and families. Earlier, from 2011, they had operated as the RetroGralnia initiative, organising exhibitions and events. In 2017 they opened the first museum in Poland devoted to both video games and the history of computers and computer science. It is run by the Fundacja Gry i Komputery Minionej Ery (Foundation for Games and Computers of Bygone Eras).
The museum is located in the right wing of the Świebodzki Railway Station building at pl. Orląt Lwowskich. The collections include around 200 computers, consoles and accessories from the second half of the 20th century, shown in display cases with descriptions and available to play. The exhibition combines the history of video entertainment with the history of computer technology, from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Visits take place in tours starting on even hours and lasting up to 1 hour 45 minutes. Guests can play freely on the working devices, and descriptions of the equipment are also available in a virtual guide on the museum’s website.
Highlights
- Consoles, computers and handheld games from the 1970s to 1990s
- Arcade machines to play on your own
- Apple computers from the museum’s collection
- Display cases with descriptions of technological artefacts
- Virtual guide to the exhibition on the museum’s website
Permanent exhibition
- Muzeum Gry i Komputery Minionej Ery – The permanent exhibition combines the history of video games and computing: it shows computers, consoles, handheld games, arcade machines and Apple equipment that visitors can use.
- Founded
- 2017
- Operated by
- Fundacja Gry i Komputery Minionej Ery
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 40 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 30 złpersons up to 18 years of age and from 60 years of age. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 4 · Children under 4 enter free of charge. |
| Seniors | 30 złReduced ticket from 60 years of age. |
| Students & apprentices | 35 zł |
| Groups | –School trips: PLN 30 per pupil, PLN 35 per student, PLN 40 per adult; supervisors (up to 1 per 10 people) and guides enter free of charge. |
| Families | 120 złTicket for two adults and two children. |
Tickets are bought online or at the entrance, but people with a reservation have priority; the number of places in a tour is limited and shown live on the website. Holders of the Nasz Wrocław card may take advantage of a discount.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Several steps lead up to the raised ground floor, and the building is a historic one. In the hall one can move around in a wheelchair and use most of the interactive exhibits, except for the tall arcade machines; some display cases are hard to see from a wheelchair. The toilet is spacious but has no grab bars. The museum warns people sensitive to rapidly changing light, because many games and CRT televisions flicker.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.75 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
| Family ticket | 120 zł · Ticket for two adults and two children. |
- Hands-on stations
Most of the equipment is interactive, so children can play on the old consoles and computers. Children under 15 may visit only under adult supervision; a family ticket for 2+2 is available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Dworzec Świebodzki
From the PKP Główny (main railway station) it is about 30 minutes on foot, or take tram 15, 31 or 32 from the Dworzec Główny – Stawowa stop, four stops (about 8 minutes) to the Dworzec Świebodzki stop.
By car
Paid parking
Under the museum’s windows is a paid municipal car park (2 hours cost PLN 6.10; parking is free on Saturdays). On Sundays a market is held at the station, and then the museum recommends the unpaved car parks at ul. Robotnicza, about 100 m further on.
The museum is in the right wing of the Świebodzki Railway Station building, behind the last doors; the place is marked by banners in the windows.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum has a toilet for visitors.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| Photography | Using cameras and video cameras, and publishing photos with information about the place, is allowed. |
| Good to know | The visit is self-guided, without a guide; descriptions of the equipment in the cases are available in the virtual guide at tour.gikme.pl. Dogs may be brought into the museum. Organised trips should be announced by e-mail (rezerwacje@gikme.pl); they are usually accepted from Tuesday to Friday. |
