Muzeum Miejskie w Żorach

About the museum

The Żory Municipal Museum was established in December 2000 on the initiative of the city authorities, people gathered around the Society of Friends of the City of Żory and the director of the Municipal Cultural Centre, Lucjan Buchalik. Until 2013 it operated in rented rooms of the cultural centre; in 2014 it moved into its new premises at ul. Muzealna 1/2. Today the museum has about 1,100 m² of space, of which almost 500 m² is taken up by exhibitions, as well as a conference room for 80 people.

The seat is the restored Haering villa, built at the beginning of the 20th century in an eclectic style (the date 1908 appears on a cartouche). Its first owner was the veterinarian and deputy mayor of Żory, Ferdynand Haering. After the Second World War the villa was one of the few buildings in the centre that were undamaged in 1945, and later it served as a municipal building. During the conversion the historic part was combined with a modern block of architectural concrete, and the investment was carried out with the participation of the Katowice Special Economic Zone.

Gallery 1 presents the exhibition “Polskie poznawanie świata” on the contribution of Poles to the exploration of the world, and Gallery 2 the exhibition “Nasza tożsamość” on the history of Żory and the identity of residents of eastern Silesia from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum also runs lessons, workshops, research and its own publications.

Highlights

• Art Nouveau Haering villa from 1908 combined with a modern wing
• Permanent exhibition “Nasza tożsamość” (Our Identity) on the history of Żory and the identity of Silesians
• Permanent exhibition “Polskie poznawanie świata” with maps and multimedia
• “Wyspy wiedzy” (Islands of Knowledge): places to play and solve puzzles for the youngest visitors
• Free admission for individual visitors on Mondays
• Guided tours at no extra charge

Permanent exhibitions

• Nasza tożsamość – The permanent exhibition of the Department of History and Culture of the Region on the history of Żory from the Middle Ages to the present day and on the identity of residents of eastern Silesia.
• Polskie poznawanie świata – A permanent non-European exhibition on the contribution of Poles to ethnographic, anthropological and archaeological research, arranged as a labyrinth of maps, pictures and multimedia.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Miasto Żory (samorządowa instytucja kultury)

Director

Lucjan Buchalik

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Mondays admission to the exhibitions is free for individual visitors.

Free admission is granted to school group supervisors, museum staff, holders of the Żory Senior Card, members of the Polish Museum Association (Stowarzyszenie Muzealników Polskich) and ICOM, and veterans.

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 main entrance is at street level, a lift runs between the floors, and a toilet for people with disabilities is on the ground floor. The reception has an induction loop, and a trained staff member can help with sign language communication during opening hours. Assistance dogs are welcome. Only some multimedia exhibits are out of reach for wheelchair users, and the exhibit descriptions do not have Braille.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The exhibitions include “Wyspy wiedzy” (Islands of Knowledge), where a child can play, paint, solve a puzzle and build a jigsaw. A family ticket costs PLN 30.

Getting there & parking

To reach the museum, follow the old cobbled ul. Muzealna, which branches off beside the white-and-green building of the Bank Spółdzielczy (cooperative bank); the villa is set slightly back from the road.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum runs a shop with books and publications and a tourist information point.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 80 guests.

The museum has a modern conference room for 80 people.

Plan your visit