Muzeum Kinematografii w Łodzi

About the museum

The Museum of Cinematography in Łódź is housed in the historic Scheibler Palace of Karol and Anna Scheibler, built in the 19th century. It was founded in 1986 on the initiative of Antoni Szram, its first director; previously it had operated as the Film Culture Department of the Museum of the History of the City of Łódź. In 1977–1985 the first exhibits were gathered, including objects from the Film School, posters and stills, and a photoplasticon from the firm of August Fuhrmann. On 10 May 1986 the museum opened to visitors with an exhibition about “The Promised Land” (Ziemia obiecana).

The palace interiors served as a film set for many films and series, among them Andrzej Wajda’s “The Promised Land” (Ziemia obiecana) of 1974. In 2019–2021 a thorough renovation was carried out, which made it easier for people with mobility difficulties to visit, and in 2021 a new permanent exhibition, “Łódź filmowa” (Film Łódź), was opened.

Today the museum shows two permanent exhibitions. “Łódź filmowa” tells how the city of factories and fairground entertainment became the capital of the Polish film industry, and presents, among other things, a working photoplasticon and an original Oscar for the film “Ida”. “Pałac pełen bajek” (A Palace Full of Fairy Tales) is devoted to Polish animation, with puppets and celluloids of characters such as Miś Uszatek (Little Bear Uszatek), Colargol, the Moomins (Muminki), Bolek and Lolek and Reksio. The building also houses the Kinematograf cinema.

Highlights

• Exhibition “Łódź filmowa” with a working Kaiser-Panorama photoplasticon
• Original Oscar statuette for the film “Ida”
• Exhibition “Pałac pełen bajek” with puppets and celluloids from Polish animation
• Fragment of the film “The Promised Land” (Ziemia obiecana) from 1927
• Historic interiors of the Scheibler Palace and the Kinematograf cinema

Permanent exhibitions

• Łódź filmowa – A two-storey exhibition tells how Łódź was transformed from a city of factories and fairground entertainment into the capital of the Polish film industry; it shows, among other things, a photoplasticon and the original Oscar for the film “Ida”.
• Pałac pełen bajek – An exhibition devoted to Polish animation presents original puppets and celluloids of characters such as Miś Uszatek, Colargol, the Moomins (Muminki), Bolek and Lolek and Reksio.

Founded

1986

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Wednesday

The price covers the permanent and temporary exhibitions. Free admission also applies, among others, to museum staff, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card) and veterans. Anyone who has bought a ticket to the permanent exhibition may buy, within 30 days, a ticket to the Kinematograf cinema for a film from the current programme for PLN 10. At the ticket office you can pay in cash, by card and with BLIK; the museum accepts QlturaProfit vouchers.

Accessibility

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

The museum is architecturally accessible, although the building is a historic monument. On every floor there are tactile plans; handrails and signs have Braille descriptions; the steps are marked with contrasting colours, and the buttons in the lifts are described in Braille. A guide in Braille, an audio guide with some audio description, and magnifiers can be borrowed free of charge at the ticket office. The exhibitions include 3D models and thermoforms that can be touched. The museum offers the help of an assistant (contact the accessibility coordinator). Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

The exhibition “Pałac pełen bajek” is intended for visitors of all ages and has interactive elements, such as an animation table. The museum organises workshops, games and the series “Filmowe opowieści” (Film Stories). The museum space is adapted for pushchairs, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle racks are in front of the gate and in the museum courtyard.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Free lockers with keys and a cloakroom. The Kinematograf cinema operates in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum publishes a price list for hiring the palace interiors.

Plan your visit