Muzeum Rycerzy i Żołnierzyków w Toruniu

About the museum

The Muzeum Rycerzy i Żołnierzyków (Museum of Knights and Little Soldiers) is housed in a burgher’s townhouse at ul. Małe Garbary 19 in the New Town of Toruń. The building dates from the 15th century and acquired its present form, in the style of Dutch Mannerism, after a reconstruction in the 17th century. The institution is the first museum in Poland devoted to toy soldiers and historical figurines.

The collection belongs to Karol Szaładziński and includes over two thousand figurines. One part consists of the so-called kioskowce (“kiosk soldiers”), plastic soldiers and other figurines sold in kiosks and toy shops from the early 1960s until 1994, with which millions of children played. The other part consists of historical figurines, hand-made and painted on the basis of sources, which show the dress and weapons of Polish warriors, knights and soldiers from the time of Mieszko I onwards. These are complemented by figures of knights of the crusading orders, including several life-size ones.

The interiors are decorated with copies of the Grunwald banners and the banners of the knightly orders. On the ground floor there are copies of a medieval fresco showing the Nine Worthies (Dziewięciu Mężnych Bohaterów), including King Arthur, which was discovered in 2016 in the townhouse at ul. Żeglarska. The exhibition refers to the chivalric and Arthurian traditions of the burghers of Toruń.

Highlights

• over 2,000 figurines of knights and soldiers from the time of Mieszko I
• kioskowce – toy soldiers from RUCH kiosks, 1960–1994
• figurines of crusading knights, including life-size figures
• copies of the Grunwald banners
• copies of the fresco with the Nine Worthies and King Arthur

Permanent exhibition

• Kolekcja rycerzy i żołnierzyków – Over two thousand figurines – historical figures of Polish armies from the 10th to the 18th century, crusading knights and kiosk soldiers from 1960–1994.

Operated by

Karol Szaładziński (muzeum prywatne)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The collection of toy soldiers and figurines of knights is attractive for children and families; many of the figurines are toys known from the childhood of several generations.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the New Town, about 350 m east of Rynek Staromiejski (Old Town Market Square) and 180 m west of Rynek Nowomiejski (New Town Market Square).

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