Muzeum Piśmiennictwa i Drukarstwa

About the museum

The Muzeum Piśmiennictwa i Drukarstwa is located in Grębocin, a few kilometres from Toruń, in a historic Gothic church from the end of the 13th or the beginning of the 14th century, originally dedicated to St Barbara. The church was rebuilt in 1687, and from 1565 to 1945 it served Lutherans. It was entered in the register of monuments in 1930. After the war the building fell into ruin, and in 1998 it was sold with the intention of carrying out a thorough renovation.

After the reconstruction a private museum was set up in the church, which opened to visitors in 2004. It was founded by the artist Agata Dworzak-Subocz and the conservator Dariusz Subocz, who also run the Fundacja Świątynia Sztuki (Temple of Art Foundation). The museum’s profile refers to the history of the 18th-century paper mills in Lubicz and Pruska Łąka and to 19th-century printing in Toruń.

The exhibition consists of three sections: papermaking, printing and writing. It shows, among other things, replicas of old papermaking workshops, sieves with watermarks, Asian printing blocks, a replica of Gutenberg’s workshop with a press, 19th-century printing presses and replicas of a medieval scriptorium. The museum also runs educational workshops and demonstrations, and a small art gallery operates in its surroundings. The institution was awarded, among other prizes, the main award of the Marshal of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship in 2018.

Highlights

• Gothic church from the 13th/14th century as the seat of the museum
• Papermaking section with replicas of old paper mills and sieves with watermarks
• Printing section: replica of Gutenberg’s workshop and a 19th-century press
• Replica of a medieval scriptorium and old writing materials
• Papermaking and printing workshops with souvenirs made by participants

Permanent exhibition

• Papiernictwo, drukarstwo i pismo – Three sections devoted to paper, printing and writing: replicas of old paper mills, a replica of Gutenberg’s workshop, a 19th-century press and a replica of a medieval scriptorium.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Muzeum prywatne, Fundacja Świątynia Sztuki

Admission & discounts

The price covers guided tours and workshops; separate standard and reduced tickets are not given. Individual visitors pay in cash only; travel agencies may pay in cash or by bank transfer.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum runs interactive workshops for children and adults: calligraphy, printing on a cast-iron press and hand papermaking. On the museum grounds you can also take part in a geocaching game.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Grębocin at ul. Szkolna 31, about 8 km from the centre of Toruń.

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