Muzeum Regionalne PTTK im. Władysława Kowalskiego w Dobczycach

About the museum

For centuries Dobczyce has been linked with the castle on the hill above the Raba valley, which hosted, among others, Władysław Łokietek, Casimir the Great (Kazimierz Wielki) and Jadwiga. In the 15th century an academy for royal sons operated here, and in the Renaissance period the castle was extended and had more than 70 rooms. The Swedish wars, fires and destruction left the building in ruins for two centuries.

The idea of a museum emerged in the 1950s, and in 1960 activists of the PTTK (Polish Tourist and Countryside Society) together with Władysław Kowalski began excavations that uncovered the lower parts of the castle. The fragments of ceramics, tiles and everyday objects that were found were shown in 1963 in a wooden barrack, and later in reconstructed castle halls. Over time the chapel, the prison dungeon, a torture chamber and a memorial hall, among others, were made accessible.

The idea of an open-air museum arose during the construction of a water reservoir, and from 1968 objects were moved there: an inn from Krzyszkowice, a granary from Zagórzany, a henhouse from Brzezowa, carriage sheds, and a peasant cottage with an exhibition on funeral customs. The museum has archaeological, historical, ethnographic and military departments, and the castle is still being rebuilt.

Highlights

• Castle on the hill, with walls uncovered in excavations
• Open-air museum of wooden architecture with an inn, a forge and a cottage
• Archaeological, historical, ethnographic and military exhibitions
• Family ticket prices

Permanent exhibition

• Historyczno-etnograficzna trasa w skansenie – The autumn route presents the history of the castle hill and the castle, and the past life and culture of the region’s inhabitants.

Founded

1963

Operated by

PTTK Oddział Dobczyce

Admission & discounts

Prices apply during the autumn visiting period of the new route in the open-air museum (15 September–31 October 2026).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Kraków the best route is the A4 ring road and road no. 7 to Wieliczka, then road no. 964 to Dobczyce; from Myślenice or Bochnia, road no. 697. From the market square (by the statue of St Florian), walk to the castle along ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego or ul. Kasztelana Dobka.

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