Muzeum Papiernictwa w Dusznikach-Zdroju
Museum in a historic 16th-century paper mill, a registered monument of history (pomnik historii), with demonstrations of hand papermaking and an exhibition on the history of paper.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The paper mill in Duszniki-Zdrój existed before 1562; its first known owner was Ambrosius Tepper. After a flood in 1601 the works were rebuilt by Gregor Kretschmer, and in 1706 the Heller family bought it together with the privilege to produce hand-made paper. It is one of the oldest surviving and still operating facilities of this type in Europe. In 1939 the town authorities took over the mill with the intention of setting up a museum.
The Paper Museum opened in 1968. Hand papermaking, which had been discontinued in 1905, was resumed in 1971 and included in the exhibition. The complex consists of three buildings: a brick-and-timber mill with high shingle roofs, a wooden drying house and an octagonal entrance pavilion, connected to the mill by a wooden footbridge over the canal of the Bystrzyca Dusznicka river. The site is a monument of history.
The visit includes Route I, “Paper through Two Millennia”, with an audio guide, and Route II, “Art and Money”, with temporary exhibitions, a gallery of paper art, rooms with polychrome decorations and the exhibition “Polish Paper Money”. For an additional fee, visitors can take part in hand papermaking workshops.
Highlights
- Paper mill dating from before 1562, a monument of history
- Demonstrations and workshops in hand papermaking
- Route “Paper through Two Millennia”
- Paper art gallery and the exhibition “Polish Paper Money”
- Rooms with polychrome decorations
Permanent exhibitions
- Z papierem przez dwa tysiąclecia – Route I: the history of paper and papermaking in the historic mill, visited with an audio guide.
- Sztuka i pieniądze – Route II: rooms with polychrome decorations, a gallery of paper art and the exhibition “Polish Paper Money”.
- Founded
- 1968
- Operated by
- Muzeum Papiernictwa w Dusznikach-Zdroju (instytucja samorządu województwa dolnośląskiego)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 25 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 20 zł |
| Children & teens | –Children under 10 may only be in the museum in the company of an adult. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Organised groups (more than 10 people) require a prior booking by telephone. |
| Ticket for the whole museum (Route I + Route II) – standard | 25 złThe visit takes about 2 hours. |
| Ticket for the whole museum (Route I + Route II) – reduced | 20 zł |
| Guided service for groups (regardless of group size) | 100 złOnly available when requested with the date booking. |
Free admission: Mondays from May to October and during the winter school holidays; Tuesdays from November to April (outside the holidays)
On free-admission days the offer covers only Route I, “Paper through Two Millennia”, without an audio guide and without the papermaking demonstration; a ticket for the whole museum can be bought additionally. Papermaking workshops are charged separately. The ticket office accepts VISA and MasterCard.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
The historic complex has high thresholds, steep stairs and low door frames. Steps lead from ul. Sprzymierzonych onto the museum grounds; the main entrance can be reached from the town side, and a cobbled ramp at the bridge levels the difference in height. There is an entry bell at the pavilion entrance and a mobile access ramp in the hall. A lift operates between the mill building and the drying house; the second, historic staircase is not accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible toilets are located near the ticket office and in the pavilion next to the shop. The museum has tactile plans with audio, the STEP-HEAR navigation system, an FM guided-tour system with an induction loop and toilets with Braille signage. The accessible parking space for people with disabilities is about 20 m from the entrance.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
For children there is a family route in the audio guide and papermaking workshops (from age 5); children under 10 visit in the company of adults.
Getting there & parking
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no car park of its own; visitors use car parks 200–500 m away. About 20 m from the main entrance there is a designated space for vehicles of people with disabilities.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The souvenir shop is located in the auxiliary pavilion in the courtyard.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (PL, CS, EN, DE, UK) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio guide is included in the price; it is also available as an MP3 file after scanning the QR code at the ticket office. Papermaking workshops take place on the hour on the museum’s working days (max. 7 people per hour, from age 5; telephone booking 748 627 424). Museum lessons are held Monday to Friday for groups only. |
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