Muzeum Kultury Wilamowskiej

About the museum

The Muzeum Kultury Wilamowskiej (Museum of Wilamowice Culture) was established to organise and institutionalise efforts to protect the language, costume and other elements of Wilamowian culture, previously carried out mainly by the association “Wilamowianie” (The Wilamowians). The decision to create it was taken in autumn 2016, and the construction was financed, among other sources, by the EEA Financial Mechanism. Construction work lasted from February 2022 to the end of 2023.

The self-governing cultural institution was established on 22 April 2024, and the solemn opening took place on 2 July 2024; open days on 6 and 7 July attracted around a thousand people. The two-storey building at ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia refers to the former houses of wealthy Wilamowice farmers, and its façade reproduces the embroidery of the traditional “jypła” shirt.

The permanent exhibition “Wilamowianie i ich sąsiedzi” (The Wilamowians and Their Neighbours) presents the history and cultural heritage of this ethnic group in chronological order: from its origins and everyday life before the Second World War, through the richness of its costume, to the difficult times of war and post-war persecution. The museum also runs classes, workshops and courses in the Wilamowice language, and visits in several languages are possible by prior arrangement.

Highlights

• permanent exhibition “Wilamowianie i ich sąsiedzi” (The Wilamowians and Their Neighbours) in four parts
• various forms of Wilamowice costume against the costumes of neighbouring groups
• staging of a market and reconstruction of the “beautiful room” (piękna izba) of a wooden house
• Wilamowice language and courses in it
• modern, eco-friendly building with a lift and workshop rooms

Permanent exhibition

• Wilamowianie i ich sąsiedzi – The permanent exhibition in four parts shows the history and heritage of the Wilamowians: their origins and everyday life, the richness of their costume, and the hard times of war and post-war persecution.

Founded

2024

Operated by

Gmina Wilamowice

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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

The building has a lift, and all exhibition, workshop and event rooms are accessible to wheelchair users. The toilet is adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. One parking space for people with disabilities is designated in front of the building. A Polish sign language interpreter can be ordered by prior arrangement.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The programme includes family workshops (e.g. sauerkraut making), tours of the permanent exhibition for children and a Wilamowice language course for young people.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies in the northern part of the town, next to the Miejsko-Gminny Ośrodek Kultury (Municipal and Gmina Culture Centre).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The building has three multifunctional rooms for educational, cultural and promotional activities.

Plan your visit