Muzeum Jana Pawła II i Prymasa Wyszyńskiego

About the museum

The Museum of John Paul II and Primate Wyszyński was established by decree of Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz on 18 May 2010 as an institution of the Archdiocese of Warsaw. On 15 April 2016 it was transformed into a state cultural institution run jointly by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Archdiocese of Warsaw. The official opening, with the participation of President Andrzej Duda, took place on 16 October 2019.

The museum is seated beneath the dome of the Temple of Divine Providence (Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej) in Wilanów, at a height of about 26 metres, which makes it one of the highest-located museums in Poland. The permanent exhibition occupies a ring around the dome with an area of more than 2,000 m². It is laid out as a circular route divided into a dozen or so thematic zones, including DOM (Home), POLSKA (Poland), KRAKÓW, SOBÓR (Council) and DEKALOG (Decalogue).

The exhibition has the character of a “museum of the word”: it presents the childhood, families, vocation and church path of Karol Wojtyła and Stefan Wyszyński, using their own words, films, large-format projections and works of art, including works by Jerzy Kalina and Aldona Mickiewicz. The narrative covers the years 1901–2005, from the partitions and independence through the Second World War and the People’s Republic of Poland to Solidarity and freedom. The museum also runs a branch, the Kolekcja im. Jana Pawła II (John Paul II Collection), at Plac Bankowy 1A.

Highlights

• Museum beneath the dome of the Temple of Divine Providence, at a height of about 26 metres
• Circular permanent exhibition over 2,000 m²
• Thematic zones with projections, films and works of art
• Narrative about the years 1901–2005 through John Paul II and Primate Wyszyński
• Quiet zone in the foyer and quiet time for sensitive visitors

Permanent exhibition

• Wystawa stała Muzeum Jana Pawła II i Prymasa Wyszyńskiego – Circular exhibition beneath the dome of the Temple of Divine Providence, divided into a dozen or so thematic zones, presenting the life of Karol Wojtyła and Stefan Wyszyński against the background of Polish history from 1901 to 2005.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Muzeum Jana Pawła II i Prymasa Wyszyńskiego (Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego, Archidiecezja Warszawska)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursdays – free admission for individual visitors.

Free admission applies to, among others, Knights of the Order of the White Eagle, the Virtuti Militari and the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, museum employees, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, and holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card). The Karta Dużej Rodziny (Large Family Card) and the Warsaw Pass are accepted. Tickets are bought online in the museum shop; individual tickets cover groups of up to 9 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum provides an introductory video in Polish Sign Language, a guide in easy-to-read language, a guide for blind and partially sighted visitors and a sensory map to download. In the foyer there is a quiet zone with cushions, noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys and a weighted blanket; headphones can be borrowed for the whole visit. People with disabilities and their carers pay the reduced ticket. Accessibility coordinator: m.wlodarska@mt514.pl, tel. +48 22 308 14 91.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops

The educational offer is aimed at primary and secondary schools; families will find activities mainly in the holiday and festive programmes. Visitors can download the free guide “Mój muzealny niezbędnik” (My Museum Essentials), with tasks for the visit. Children under 7 enter free of charge, and young people up to age 26 pay PLN 1.

Getting there & parking

By car you can reach the museum directly from central Warsaw or leave the S2 expressway towards Wilanów; the museum lies by the southern bypass, on the route from Lublin.

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