Muzeum Historyczne w Sanoku

About the museum

The Muzeum Historyczne w Sanoku was founded in 1934 as the social Muzeum Ziemi Sanockiej (Sanok Land Museum), and since 1968 it has been a state museum. Today it is a self-governing cultural institution run jointly by the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and the Sanok District. It displays its collections in all the halls of the Renaissance castle in the centre of the town.

The castle was built in 1523–1548 by the Sanok starost Mikołaj Wolski on the orders of Queen Bona, on the site of a medieval stronghold from the time of Casimir the Great. In the 19th century, during the Austrian partition, the building lost its Renaissance character. Building and conservation work carried out in the 1990s restored the main structure to its appearance in 1558, and archaeological research in the castle’s surroundings has been carried out for years.

The museum’s collections include icons and other objects of Orthodox church art from south-eastern Poland and today’s Ukraine, paintings and drawings by Zdzisław Beksiński, an artist associated with Sanok, a collection of portraits from the 17th to the 19th century, sacred art, archaeological finds from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, Pokuttya ceramics (ceramika pokucka), and military memorabilia, including items connected with the 2nd Podhale Rifles Regiment (2. Pułk Strzelców Podhalańskich).

Highlights

• Collection of Orthodox church art: more than 1,200 exhibits, including icons from the 15th to the 19th century
• Zdzisław Beksiński Gallery with paintings and drawings by the artist
• Renaissance castle from 1523–1548 in the centre of Sanok
• Gallery of 20th-century painting named after Maria and Franciszek Prochasek, and the Marian Kruczek gallery
• Archaeological collection “Historie w ziemi zapisane” (Histories Written in the Earth)
• Portraits from the 17th to the 19th century, sacred art and the armoury

Permanent exhibitions

• Sztuka cerkiewna XII–XX w. – A collection of more than 1,200 exhibits: icons arranged chronologically, banners, vestments and liturgical objects from churches in south-eastern Poland and today’s Ukraine.
• Galeria Zdzisława Beksińskiego – Presentation of the paintings and drawings of Zdzisław Beksiński, an artist associated with Sanok.
• Historie w ziemi zapisane – Archaeological finds from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as from the Middle Ages and early modern period, obtained through excavations.

Founded

1934

Operated by

Województwo Podkarpackie i Powiat Sanocki (wspólna samorządowa instytucja kultury)

Director

dr Jarosław Serafin

Admission & discounts

The museum ticket office does not sell tickets online. Documents entitling holders to a reduction or free admission must be shown before buying a ticket.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The castle building has minor architectural barriers and is equipped with a lift. The museum has toilets adapted for people with disabilities, and the building plan has visual markings. A guide dog and an assistance dog may be taken into the museum.

Kids & families

Family tickets are available in three variants for families.

Getting there & parking

The museum is housed in the royal castle in the centre of Sanok.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Outerwear, backpacks and umbrellas are left in the cloakroom by the ticket office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit