Muzeum Henryka Sienkiewicza w Oblęgorku

About the museum

Henryk Sienkiewicz received the estate at Oblęgorek near Kielce in 1900 from Polish society as a gift on the 25th anniversary of his creative work. In 1900–1902 an eclectic small palace was built here to a design by Hugo Kudera, surrounded by a park in the English style laid out by the well-known gardener Franciszek Szanior. From 1902 to 1914 it was the writer’s summer residence, where he came with his family to rest, work and receive guests. After the outbreak of the First World War Sienkiewicz left for Switzerland, where he died in 1916.

The writer’s children donated the estate to a museum in 1956, and the institution opened on 26 October 1958 as the first museum in Poland devoted to the life and work of the Nobel laureate. Its first curator was the writer’s daughter-in-law, Zuzanna Sienkiewicz. Since 1976 the museum has been a branch of the National Museum in Kielce, and in 2018 the palace was honoured with the title of Historic Monument (Pomnik Historii).

On the ground floor the writer’s home has been reconstructed: the study, drawing room, dining room, smoking room and bedroom, with original furniture, paintings, jubilee gifts and part of his book collection. On the upper floor, in the former rooms of the children and guests, is the exhibition “Sienkiewicz – dopełnienie” (Sienkiewicz – Completion), about the most important moments of his life: his travels, the Nobel Prize and two funerals. The visit is supported by an audio guide in Polish, English and Italian, and a park with trees more than 20 metres tall extends around the palace.

Highlights

• Reconstructed home of Henryk Sienkiewicz with original memorabilia
• Gallery of family portraits, jubilee gifts and part of the book collection, including Quo vadis
• Exhibition “Sienkiewicz – dopełnienie” on his life and the Nobel Prize
• Palace with a tower and a sculpture of a hussar, Historic Monument
• English-style park designed by Franciszek Szanior

Permanent exhibitions

• Mieszkanie Henryka Sienkiewicza – Reconstructed ground-floor rooms with study, drawing room, dining room, smoking room and bedroom, with original furniture, paintings and jubilee gifts.
• Sienkiewicz – dopełnienie – Upper-floor exhibition on the writer’s 25 years of work, his travels, the Nobel Prize and funerals, with illustrations for Quo vadis and the Trilogy.

Founded

1958

Operated by

Muzeum Narodowe w Kielcach

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Sundays admission to the permanent exhibitions is free of charge.

Tickets are bought at the ticket office in the palace, and organised groups may pay by bank transfer. The audio guide is included in the ticket price.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 main car park is about 800 m from the entrance, but people with disabilities can park about 20 m from the main entrance. Two steps lead to the entrance; for wheelchairs staff lay out a platform, and the access ramp is paved with stones and ends in two steps. The ground floor is accessible, but the upper floor is reached by stairs without a lift, so visitors must rely on help from carers and staff. The ground floor has a fully equipped accessible toilet, and pushchairs can be taken into the exhibition rooms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Children under 7 enter free of charge, and children and young people aged 8–26 can use the PLN 1 ticket. Pushchairs may be taken into the exhibition rooms, and the museum runs educational activities and museum lessons.

Getting there & parking

Oblęgorek lies in the Gmina Strawczyn, about 18 km from Kielce. A four-row lime avenue leads to the palace.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A museum shop is available, and the building has separate areas for resting.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The National Museum in Kielce offers hire of space as well as outdoor and wedding photo sessions (wedding session of up to 1.5 hours PLN 70); details are in the museum’s offer.

Plan your visit