Muzeum Pienińskie

About the museum

The idea of a museum in the Pieniny first appeared in 1893 in the Pieniny branch of the Tatra Society (Towarzystwo Tatrzańskie), but was not realised at the time. In 1919 it was taken up again by Konstanty Kietlicz Rayski, supported by the writer Jan Wiktor. The museum opened in 1959 in the rooms of the Dworzec Gościnny in Szczawnica, and the exhibits were donated by highlanders and residents of the spa.

In 1962 the Dworzec Gościnny burned down, and the surviving collections were kept in the cellars of the building and moved to further locations. In 1972 they went to the Pałac villa on Dietl Square. In August 2014 the museum opened a new exhibition in the converted former building of the Border Guard in Szlachtowa, about 3 km from Szczawnica.

The present exhibition leads from the Dunajec gallery (galeria Dunajca), which links Czorsztyn, Sromowce, Szczawnica and Krościenko, through the history of the first inhabitants, 13th-century castles and settlements connected with St Kinga, and the religious and cultural diversity of the region. It also shows pastoral farming, folk costume and traditional crafts such as rafting (flisactwo) and wire-working (druciarstwo). The last part is devoted to the 19th-century spa in Szczawnica and its guests, and the route ends on the Pieniny Road (Droga Pienińska) above the Dunajec. The museum also runs educational classes for schools.

Highlights

• Exhibition in the former Border Guard post in Szlachtowa
• Dunajec gallery and the history of the Pieniny region
• Rafting, wire-working and folk costume
• 19th-century spa in Szczawnica
• Educational classes, including glass painting and Pieniny legends

Permanent exhibition

• Historia regionu pienińskiego – Exhibition in the former Border Guard post on the history of the Pieniny, folk culture, rafting, wire-working and the 19th-century spa in Szczawnica.

Founded

1959

Operated by

Muzeum Okręgowe w Nowym Sączu (Muzeum Ziemi Sądeckiej)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Sundays admission to the exhibition is free.

Prices apply from 1 May 2026. The rules for concessions and exemptions are set by the museum's visitor regulations.

Accessibility

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

The exhibition on the ground floor has no architectural barriers, but some display cases, drawers and screens may be hard to reach from a wheelchair; the first floor (conference and education rooms) is not accessible to wheelchair users. The main entrance has a 2.5 cm threshold, the temporary exhibition gallery has a ramp with a handrail, and the area around the museum is paved with setts. Adapted toilets with baby changing tables are in the main building and in the study storage building. The exhibition has tactile and scent aids, and the regulations and price list at the ticket office are available in Braille. For deaf visitors an app with an audio guide in Polish Sign Language (PJM) has been prepared; an audio guide can also be borrowed at the ticket office (with your own headphones). Entry with a guide dog is allowed.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

A family ticket is available for two adults and two children up to 16, and the adapted toilets have baby changing tables. Museum classes are prepared for children and young people.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 4 km from the centre of Szczawnica (about 6 minutes by car), 9.2 km from the centre of Krościenko (about 16 minutes) and 1.7 km from the Homole Gorge (Wąwóz Homole), about 2 minutes away.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit