Muzeum „Pod Kuźniczym Młotem”
Small “living” regional museum in Zakopane, showing the history of Tatra mining and ironworking, and the culture and nature of Podhale.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Muzeum “Pod Kuźniczym Młotem” (Museum “Under the Forge Hammer”) was established on the initiative of the Fundacja Skansen (Skansen Foundation), founded at the end of 2005 to rescue the regional heritage of Podhale and the Carpathians. It was initially located at ul. Krupówki and later moved to a building at Plac Niepodległości 6, on the edge of the town park in Zakopane. The name comes from a large model of a forge hammer standing in front of the building, referring to the former bloomery works in Kuźnice.
The oldest part of the exhibition is the history of mining and metallurgy in the Tatras, reaching back to the time of Alexander Jagiellon: drawings of equipment, photographs of old hammer forges (hamry), products of Tatra iron and a movable model of a miner. Further sections deal, among other things, with the beginnings of the Zakopane parish, the Zakopane style, ethnography, Tatra nature, tourism and mountaineering, and literature and sport.
The museum is described as “living”: visitors can take part in demonstrations and workshops such as weaving, forging iron, churning butter, cheese making or glass painting, and guides in costume present the old customs of the highlanders (górale). The museum works with families and organised groups, which should book their visit by telephone.
Highlights
- history of mining and metallurgy in the Tatras since the 16th century
- large model of a forge hammer in front of the building
- demonstrations and workshops: weaving, iron forging, butter churning, cheese making
- models of monuments, including of the Zakopane style
- ethnographic, nature and mountaineering sections
Permanent exhibition
- Wystawa stała Muzeum „Pod Kuźniczym Młotem” – Exhibition on Tatra mining and metallurgy, the monuments of Podhale, nature, highlanders’ traditions and tourism in the Tatras.
- Operated by
- Fundacja Skansen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 4 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 3 zł |
The prices of PLN 4 and PLN 3 come from the archived website of the City of Zakopane; discounts are provided for groups. It is worth confirming the current price list before your visit.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Visitors, including children, can try weaving, butter churning or cheese making, and in the park of miniatures they can see models of monuments.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The visit takes the form of a “living museum”, with demonstrations of traditional crafts and guides in costume. Organised groups (camps, green schools) should book by telephone. |
