Muzeum Obozów Jenieckich w Żaganiu

About the museum

The museum in Żagań was established in 1971 as the Muzeum Martyrologii Alianckich Jeńców Wojennych (Museum of the Martyrdom of Allied Prisoners of War). In 2009 a resolution of the city council renamed it the Muzeum Obozów Jenieckich (Museum of Prisoner-of-War Camps). The institution tells the story of prisoners of war held in Żagań, from the Napoleonic era onwards, and above all in the German camps of the Second World War.

Stalag VIII C, opened in 1939, held around 49,000 soldiers, many of whom died from hunger, disease and mistreatment. The youngest camp in the complex, Stalag Luft III, was set up in spring 1942 for captured Allied airmen. It was from here that one of the largest prisoner escapes took place in 1944, known as the Great Escape. After it ended, 50 participants were murdered, including six Poles.

The tour includes the main museum building, with documentary films and guided visits; a replica of Barrack 104 with a recreated prisoners' room and exhibitions on tunnels and escapes; a model of an escape tunnel; and a reconstructed watchtower. A guide can also take visitors around the former camp grounds of Stalag VIII C and Stalag Luft III, and to the war cemeteries.

The main building is currently closed for renovation, but the exhibitions in the replica barrack remain open.

Key themes

• Replica of Barrack 104 with a recreated prisoners' room
• Exhibitions “Tunel Dick”, “The Great Escape” and “The Wooden Horse”
• Model of an escape tunnel and reconstructed watchtower
• Former camp grounds of Stalag VIII C and Stalag Luft III
• War cemeteries of prisoners of war

Permanent exhibitions

• Replika baraku nr 104 w Stalagu Luft III – Recreated prisoners' room and the exhibitions “Tunel Dick”, “The Long March – the evacuation of the Żagań prisoner-of-war camps”, “Escape codenamed The Wooden Horse” and “The Great Escape”.
• Wystawa stała w budynku głównym – Exhibition on the history of prisoners of war in Żagań, with documentary film screenings. The building is currently closed for renovation.

Founded

1971

Operated by

Miasto Żagań

Admission & discounts

Group trips and enquiries are accepted by telephone or via the online booking form on the museum's website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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: no information
• Audio description: no information

The replica of Barrack 104 has a ramp for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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