Photo: Lukasz pob · CC BY-SA 3.0 pl · Wikimedia Commons

Muzeum Historii Zoo i Lwa w Poznaniu

Small museum in the historic Stara Lwiarnia (Old Lion House) in the Stare Zoo (Old Zoo) in Poznań, presenting the history of the zoological garden and its animals.

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About the museum

The Stare Zoo in Poznań has been part of the city's history for more than 150 years and is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe. The Zoo and Lion History Museum is housed in the historic Stara Lwiarnia on its grounds and traces the beginnings of the garden and the changes it went through over the decades.

The exhibition shows, among other things, archival photographs and tells the story of the garden's former residents, especially the lions after which the building is named. The museum was set up in 2022 in the former lion house and is part of the Stare Zoo's offer alongside the animal enclosures and the Pawilon Zwierząt Zmiennocieplnych (Cold-Blooded Animals Pavilion).

Highlights

Historic Stara Lwiarnia as the home of the museum
Archival photographs from the history of the Stare Zoo
The story of the garden's former residents, including the lions
Touchscreens with audio description and Braille labels (until the end of 2026)

Permanent exhibition

Wystawa stała Muzeum Historii Zoo – Exhibition in the historic Stara Lwiarnia on the beginnings and history of the Stare Zoo, with archival photographs and touchscreens.

Founded: 2022
Operated by: Ogród Zoologiczny w Poznaniu

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible: no information
Elevator: no information
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 grounds of the Stare Zoo, especially the park area, have no architectural barriers. The Stara Lwiarnia has a toilet for people with disabilities and a “komfortka” – a room with a bed fitted with a hydraulic lift for hygiene care for adults and children with special needs (contact: +48 513 036 021). The museum's touchscreens are to be fitted with Braille stickers and audio files with audio description of photos and graphics by the end of 2026.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By public transit

Zwierzyniecka · 100 m

By tram to the Zwierzyniecka stop; from there on foot along ul. Zwierzyniecka and past ul. Gajowa to the entrance to the Stare Zoo.

By car

Paid parking

There are public parking spaces in front of the entrance to the Stare Zoo and along ul. Zwierzyniecka, which are paid during the hours of the parking zone; one space is reserved for people with disabilities. Coaches may stop in the car park at the entrance.

Accessible parking

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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

School programs	yes
Good to know	The zoo offers lessons and guided tours of the Stare Zoo for groups; these are arranged through the Education Department of the Stare Zoo (tel. +48 512 819 954 and +48 61 873 39 75, 7:00–15:00).