Muzeum Politechniki Warszawskiej
University museum in the Institute of Heat Engineering building, with an exhibition on the history of the Warsaw University of Technology, opened on request on weekdays.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea of a museum of the technical university in Warsaw arose as early as 1902, but it was not realised before the university was evacuated deep into Russia in 1915. After the Second World War, on the initiative of rector Stanisław Pasynkiewicz, the Museum of the Warsaw University of Technology was established, initially as part of the Main Library; it was officially opened on 25 October 1978, and its first curator was Tadeusz Banasik. In 1993 the library’s History Workshop (Pracownia Historyczna) was incorporated into it, and in 2002 it became an inter-faculty unit of the university, with premises in the annex of the Aerodynamics Building.
In November 2015 an exhibition room with the permanent exhibition “History of the Warsaw University of Technology” was opened in the Main Building; it was available until September 2025. In October 2025 the museum moved to the building of the Institute of Heat Engineering at ul. Nowowiejska 21/25, and in June 2026 the exhibition room was made available after adaptation, in a new arrangement.
The central element of the exhibition is an extensive timeline with the history of the university set against events in Poland and in the world, and among the exhibits are a historic EKM steam boiler and a de Laval turbine. Items shown include memorabilia of Stanisław Staszic, documents of the Polytechnic Institute, exhibits from the time of the university’s reactivation in 1915, information on March 1968 and the most recent history of the university. The collections number over 6,000 objects, including documents, books, photographs, medals and postcards.
Highlights
- Timeline of the history of the Warsaw University of Technology against the background of Polish and world history
- Historic EKM steam boiler and de Laval turbine
- Memorabilia of Stanisław Staszic and documents of the Polytechnic Institute
- Student microcomputer, Poznań radio station and rector’s gown
- More than 6,000 objects in the collections
Permanent exhibition
- Wystawa o dziejach Politechniki Warszawskiej – Exhibition on the history of the university from its beginnings to the 21st century, with a timeline, memorabilia of Stanisław Staszic, documents of the Polytechnic Institute, the historic EKM steam boiler and the de Laval turbine.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Politechnika Warszawska
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
According to the city museums portal muzea.waw.pl, admission is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- 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
According to the city museums portal muzea.waw.pl, the museum is accessible to wheelchair users and has a lift; it is worth arranging this by phone before a visit.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
The muzea.waw.pl portal recommends visiting from the age of 10.
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 |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Exhibition descriptions are in Polish and English. The museum also organises guided tours of the university’s Main Building for schools, and walks around the building. |
