Muzeum Piastów Śląskich w Brzegu

About the museum

The castle in Brzeg was the permanent residence of the Dukes of Brzeg, of the Silesian Piast line, from 1342 until the extinction of the dynasty in 1675. In the 16th century it was rebuilt from a Gothic stronghold into one of the most interesting Renaissance residences in this part of Europe. From that period comes the richly decorated gate with sculptures of the dukes, and next to the castle Jerzy II founded the Gymnasium Illustre. In 1741 the castle was destroyed by Prussian troops, and in the following decades it served as a warehouse. At the beginning of the 20th century the town had a Municipal Museum, established in embryonic form in 1901. In 1924 the castle passed into the ownership of the commune, the museum's collections were moved there in the 1920s, and the first permanent exhibition opened in 1930.

After the Second World War, from October 1945, the Piast Museum (Muzeum Piastowskie) was organised. It opened its first permanent exhibition seven years later, based on around 40% of the surviving pre-war collections. In 1965 the institution adopted the name Museum of the Silesian Piasts (Muzeum Piastów Śląskich) and, as the only one in the country, deals by statute with the history of the Silesian Piasts and Piast traditions, as well as the past of Brzeg and the Brzeg Land (Ziemia Brzeska). In 1966–1990 a comprehensive reconstruction of the castle was carried out, restoring its former layout.

The permanent exhibitions include, among others, the display “From the Past and Tradition of the Silesian Piasts” on the first floor, the exhibition “Memoriae Piastorum Principum Silesiae”, a cycle of twelve paintings by Giovanni Pinotti from 1545, Silesian art of the 15th–18th centuries from the collections of the National Museum in Wrocław, the exhibition “Malowane dzieje Polski” (Painted History of Poland) and, since 2019, the exhibition “Kresy. Ocalone wspomnienia” (Kresy. Saved Memories), based on the collections of the Kresy Archive (Archiwum Kresowe).

Highlights

• Renaissance castle of the Dukes of Brzeg with a richly decorated gate
• Exhibition “From the Past and Tradition of the Silesian Piasts”
• Cycle of twelve paintings by Giovanni Pinotti from 1545
• Silesian art of the 15th–18th centuries from the National Museum in Wrocław collections
• Exhibition “Kresy. Ocalone wspomnienia”
• Lwów Tower (Wieża Lwów) and castle arcades

Permanent exhibitions

• Z przeszłości i tradycji Piastów Śląskich – Exhibition on the history of the Silesian Piast dynasty on the first floor of the castle.
• Obrazy Giovanniego Pinottiego – Cycle of twelve paintings by an Italian painter from 1545 telling the story of Moses.
• Kresy. Ocalone wspomnienia – Exhibition opened in 2019, based on the collections of the Kresy Archive, devoted to the heritage of the inhabitants of the Kresy of the Second Polish Republic who settled in Silesia after the war.

Founded

1945

Operated by

Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego (współprowadzące)

Director

dr Dariusz Byczkowski

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Wednesday (free admission for all visitors).

The price list is valid from 10 July 2023. A standard ticket of PLN 35 applies to all exhibitions. When one floor is closed because of an event, the ticket costs PLN 20 (reduced PLN 15).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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 entrance to the ticket office has a historic stone threshold, so wheelchair users should ask the reception or security staff for help and use a special ramp. A lift in the east wing travels between the floors, and staff help with using it. The approach from the park side, over the former moat, runs partly along a cobbled road that is uncomfortable for wheelchairs. All car parks by the castle are free and have spaces for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children up to 7 enter free of charge, while children from 7 and school pupils pay PLN 1. The museum runs museum lessons and workshops.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies on the left bank of the Oder in the centre of the old town, about 20 minutes on foot from the railway station. The car parks in front of the castle and nearby, including on Plac Bramy Zamkowej, are free of charge.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Large bags, backpacks and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom; small lockers are also available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum rents out rooms for ceremonies and conferences (including the Concert Hall and the Pinotti Hall); the price is set individually. Guest rooms can also be rented in the castle.

Plan your visit