Muzeum Ślężańskie im. Stanisława Dunajewskiego w Sobótce

About the museum

The Ślężańskie Museum was founded in 1962 in Sobótka, drawing on the tradition of the Heimatmuseum that had operated here since 1926, although initially it had no collections of its own. The most active of its founders and its first custodian was Stanisław Dunajewski, whose name the museum has borne since 1992. Until 1970 the institution was independent; in 1971–1992 it was a branch of the Archaeological Museum in Wrocław, and since 1993 it has been a municipal museum subordinate to the Gmina of Sobótka.

Its seat is the so-called Abbot’s House, a hospital building erected in 1568 by the Canons Regular. The collections consist above all of archaeological finds from excavations carried out by the museum, a collection of rocks, minerals and fossils, two coin hoards from the 16th–18th centuries, and maps, postcards and printed matter concerning Sobótka and the region.

The first permanent exhibition, “Wierzenia dawnych Słowian” (Beliefs of the Ancient Slavs), was created in 1966. Today visitors see exhibitions devoted to ancient beliefs, the history of Sobótka and the nature of Ślęża, and a lapidarium in the courtyard. The visit begins with the film “Człowiek i przyroda Ślęży” (Man and Nature of Ślęża).

Highlights

• Exhibition “Śladami dawnych wierzeń” (In the Footsteps of Ancient Beliefs)
• Lapidarium next to the museum building
• Dunajewski Treasure and the history of Sobótka
• Exhibition “Człowiek i przyroda Masywu Ślęży” with film
• Seat in the Abbot’s House from 1568

Permanent exhibitions

• Śladami dawnych wierzeń – Exhibition on the ancient beliefs of the inhabitants of the Ślęża region, linked to the museum’s first exhibition of 1966.
• Sobótka. Od osady targowej do nowożytnego miasta – Exhibition on the history of Sobótka, with the so-called Dunajewski Treasure.
• Człowiek i przyroda Masywu Ślęży – Exhibition opened in 2024 on the nature of Ślęża and its links with people, combined with the film that begins the visit.

Founded

1962

Operated by

Gmina Sobótka

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursday – free admission to the museum (does not include the exhibition “Człowiek i przyroda Masywu Ślęży”).

Concessions are not described in detail on the museum’s website. Guided tours require a group of at least 5 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the accessibility statement, the building at ul. św. Jakuba 18 is not adapted for people with disabilities because of its historic character; the way from the pavement to the courtyard, the lapidarium and the garden is easy. The museum does not provide a Polish Sign Language interpreter.

Kids & families

The museum runs museum lessons and workshops mainly for pupils and teachers; an offer for families is not described on the website.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at ul. św. Jakuba in the centre of Sobótka, at the foot of the Ślęża massif.

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