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Muzeum Klasztorne OO. Cystersów w Szczyrzycu

A museum in the former granary of the Cistercian abbey in Szczyrzyc, with militaria, coins, folk sculpture and memorabilia of Władysław Orkan; currently closed for renovation.

Temporarily closed

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Temporarily closed. The Monastery Museum is closed until further notice because of building renovation. In the meantime the monastery church, the garden and St Stanislaus Square can be visited; the guided tour lasts about 40 minutes.

About the museum

The Muzeum Klasztorne (Monastery Museum) was established in 1954 on the initiative of Abbot Stanisław Kiełtyka, who wanted to save the collections of sacred art and objects gathered from the local population. By decision of the Minister of Culture and Art the institution became a branch of the Diocesan Museum in Tarnów. Initially the collections were housed in rooms of the monastery’s prior’s residence, and in 1966 they were sorted and divided into two departments: militaria and sacred art.

In 1978 the Cistercians recovered the 17th-century granary, which during renovation turned out to have been the former residence of the abbot. It was decided to use it for a historical museum; the reconstruction was completed in 1984, and the exhibits were then moved there from the monastery.

The collections include, among other things, an 18th-century copy of a medieval world map with Jerusalem at its centre, a collection of coins from the time of Władysław Jagiełło up to 1918, weapons from various parts of the world, minerals and a mammoth tooth. On the lower floors there are sculptures, including a 16th-century statue of the Virgin Mary, liturgical vestments, souvenirs from Orthodox churches, a collection of medals, a corner devoted to the former monastic brewing, and memorabilia of Władysław Orkan, a pupil of the school run by the Cistercians.

Highlights

18th-century copy of a medieval world map with Jerusalem at its centre
armoury with European, Asian and exotic weapons
numismatic collection from Władysław Jagiełło to 1918
liturgical vestments, folk sculpture and 16th-century statue of the Virgin Mary
exhibition on monastic brewing and memorabilia of Władysław Orkan