Muzeum Przyrodnicze w Jeleniej Górze

About the museum

The Natural History Museum in Jelenia Góra grew out of the collection of the Schaffgotsch family, assembled from the 18th century around a library founded by Count Johann Anton Schaffgotsch. The ornithological collections were first shown to visitors in 1876 in the so-called Długi Dom (Long House), and from 1920 they were shown as a museum for an entrance fee. After 1945 the institution was taken over by the Polish authorities; in 1946 it began to operate as the Museum in Cieplice, and on 12 September 1954 the Natural History Museum in Cieplice Śląskie was opened.

In 1967 the museum moved to the Norwegian Pavilion in the Norwegian Park. Until 1976, when Cieplice was incorporated into Jelenia Góra, it operated under a name linked to the spa. In 2009 the town took over part of the former Cistercian provostry, and after renovation the museum moved there in 2013. Today’s seat at ul. Cieplicka 11A lies in the northern part of the former monastic complex.

The collections include several tens of thousands of insects, shells, rocks, minerals and fossils, around a thousand bird models and historical collections. The permanent exhibitions show the birds and insects of the world, the nature of the Karkonosze, the history of Cieplice, the monastery and the Schaffgotsch family, as well as 17th-century Baroque frescoes. The ground floor and first floor are open to visitors, and outdoor exhibitions are in the monastery garden.

Highlights

• colourful world of birds and dioramas of animals
• fascinating world of insects
• mysterious world of fungi
• 17th-century Baroque frescoes
• monastery cloister garden and Karkonosze apiary

Permanent exhibitions

• Kraina Ducha Gór – Permanent exhibition on the nature and legends of the Karkonosze.
• Barwny świat ptaków – Exhibition of birds with dioramas on the first floor.
• Barokowe freski – Historic 17th-century frescoes in the rooms of the former monastery.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Gmina Miejska Jelenia Góra (instytucja kultury samorządu Jeleniej Góry)

Admission & discounts

Reduced tickets are sold on presentation of an ID card. Free admission is also granted to war veterans and museum staff.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Only the ground floor and first floor are open to visitors. Questions about architectural accessibility should be addressed to the secretariat (tel. +48 75 755 15 06).

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs workshops and educational activities for children and young people.

Getting there & parking

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