Muzeum Ślusarstwa im. Marcina Mikuły w Świątnikach Górnych

About the museum

The museum traces its roots to 1893, when the first director of the Locksmiths’ School, engineer Kazimierz Bruchnalski, established the Museum of the Locksmith’s Craft (Muzeum Rzemiosła Ślusarskiego). During the war the museum was closed and its exhibits were taken deep into the Reich; some were saved by residents of Świątniki. In 1970, on the initiative of the regional historian Marcin Mikuła (1909–1989), a Regional Room was set up in the premises of the Spółdzielnia Metalowców “Przyszłość” (“Future” Metalworkers’ Cooperative). In 2001 the cooperative handed the entire collection over to the local government of Świątniki Górne, which decided to establish a museum.

In its present form the museum has operated since 2007, when, on the 10th anniversary of Świątniki Górne’s town rights, it received a larger space and a new layout, and the exhibition was expanded with the collections of the former school museum. It occupies two rooms. The first shows exhibits from blacksmithing and locksmithing, including reconstructed blacksmith’s and locksmith’s workshops, a display case about the Locksmiths’ School with its banner, a knightly panoply with weapon parts made by graduates of the school, and a winged hussar armour with the mail armour of a companion-at-arms.

The memorabilia connected with the work of the świątnicy (attendants) of Wawel Cathedral form the only such exhibition in Poland. The most valuable item is the portrait of Stanisław Synowiec by Leon Wyczółkowski. Visitors can also see the bell-ringing thaler (talar podzwonny) of the Sigismund bell-ringers, the costume of a Wawel Cathedral świątnik, and photographs and documents about work at Wawel.

Highlights

• Winged hussar armour and mail armour of a companion-at-arms
• The only exhibition in Poland on the świątnicy of Wawel Cathedral
• Portrait of Stanisław Synowiec by Leon Wyczółkowski
• Reconstructed blacksmith’s and locksmith’s workshops
• Collection of padlocks and locksmith’s products

Permanent exhibitions

• Ekspozycja ślusarstwa, kowalstwa i płatnerstwa – Reconstructed blacksmith’s and locksmith’s workshops, a display case on the Locksmiths’ School, padlocks, a knightly panoply and a hussar armour.
• Świątnicy katedry wawelskiej – The only exhibition in Poland on the bell-ringers and świątnicy of Wawel Cathedral, with the portrait of Stanisław Synowiec, a bell-ringing thaler, a świątnik’s costume, photographs and documents.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Gmina Świątniki Górne

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Museum lessons for kindergartens and schools include “Legendy świątnickie” (Świątniki Legends), “Kłódkarstwo i ślusarstwo” (Padlock-making and Locksmithing) and “Husaria i płatnerstwo świątnickie” (Hussars and Świątniki Armour-making).

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Large backpacks, bags, umbrellas and outdoor clothing are left on the hangers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit