Muzeum Okręgowe w Lesznie

About the museum

The Muzeum Okręgowe w Lesznie (Regional Museum in Leszno) dates its beginnings to 1 January 1950, when the municipal Muzeum Ziemi Leszczyńskiej (Leszno Land Museum), founded in 1947, was nationalised. Earlier, in 1924, a so-called Muzeum Rodzime (Home Museum) had been established in the town. Until 1957 the institution occupied the historic town hall; from 1962 it has been housed in a tenement house at pl. Jana Metziga 16, and from 1962 to 2021 also in the former parsonage at pl. Jana Metziga 17. Since 1999 it has been a cultural institution of the self-government of the Greater Poland Voivodeship.

Since 1993 one of the museum’s buildings has been located in the former synagogue at ul. Gabriela Narutowicza 31. After the building at pl. Metziga 17 was returned in 2021, the exhibition rooms for visitors are now in the New Synagogue: the permanent exhibition on the history of Leszno and a room for temporary exhibitions. The building also serves as an art gallery, and design work is under way on a new home for the museum on the site of the former Leszczyńska Fabryka Octu (Leszno vinegar factory).

The permanent exhibition “Na styku światów. Historia Leszna od XVI do XX wieku” (“At the Crossroads of Worlds. The History of Leszno from the 16th to the 20th Century”) tells the story of a town where traditions, religions and languages met for centuries, thanks to the policies of the Leszczyński and Sułkowski families. It is divided into 15 sections and shows, among other things, a Gothic monstrance from the church of St. Nicholas, a tablecloth used in the liturgy of the Bohemian Brethren, portraits of the town’s owners and collections relating to the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum collects artistic, historical and ethnographic memorabilia of Leszno and the region, and also offers museum lessons, workshops and a guiding service.

Highlights

• permanent exhibition “Na styku światów” on Leszno’s history from the 16th to the 20th century
• Gothic monstrance and tablecloth of the Bohemian Brethren from 1628
• portraits of the Leszczyński and Sułkowski families
• home in the former New Synagogue
• quiet hours for people who are sensitive to stimuli

Permanent exhibition

• Na styku światów. Historia Leszna od XVI do XX wieku – Permanent exhibition in 15 sections on the history of a town where traditions, religions and cultures met, with portraits of the Leszczyński and Sułkowski families and sacred monuments.

Founded

1950

Operated by

Samorząd Województwa Wielkopolskiego

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Tuesday (free admission).

Admission on Tuesdays is free. Museum workshops cost PLN 13–15 per person. Persons entitled to a reduced ticket must show a document confirming their entitlement.

Accessibility

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

A wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge for the duration of the visit (subject to availability). Entry with an assistance dog is possible on presentation of a certificate and a vaccination record. The museum’s website contains a pre-visit guide and materials in easy-to-read language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum runs museum lessons for kindergartens and schools, workshops and birthday parties at the museum. The family ticket costs PLN 28.

Getting there & parking

The exhibitions are at ul. Gabriela Narutowicza 31; the museum administration is at pl. Jana Metziga 16.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Before entering the exhibition, coats and luggage must be left in the cloakroom or in free lockers. There is a museum shop at reception.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit