Muzeum Stefana Żeromskiego

About the museum

The museum is housed in the historic school building, which was erected in 1724–1727 on the initiative of the Bishop of Kraków, Konstanty Felicjan Szaniawski, on what was then Krakowskie Przedmieście (Kraków Suburb), next to the Church of the Holy Trinity. Teaching began here on 4 September 1727. In 1874–1886 Stefan Żeromski attended this school, and later described its building in “Syzyfowe prace” (The Labours of Sisyphus). Among other pupils were Bolesław Prus, Gustaw Herling-Grudziński and Piotr Ściegienny.

In 1962 the lyceum moved to a new building at ul. Piotra Ściegiennego. In the vacated building, after a general renovation, the Muzeum Lat Szkolnych Stefana Żeromskiego (Museum of Stefan Żeromski’s School Years), then part of the Muzeum Świętokrzyskie, was opened on 28 June 1965 on the initiative of the curator Aleksandra Zasuszanka-Dobrowolska. In September 2022, in connection with plans to extend the permanent exhibition to include the writer’s life and work, the institution changed its name to the Muzeum Stefana Żeromskiego.

The collections include manuscripts of the writer’s works, among them a fragment of the draft of “Wierna rzeka” (The Faithful River), letters to family and friends, a recording of Żeromski’s voice on a gramophone record from 1924, and photographs of his school friends. The museum also holds a set of illustrations for Żeromski’s works by, among others, Monika Żeromska, Jan Marcin Szancer and Szymon Kobyliński. Museum lessons and workshops, mainly for school pupils, are held in the building, and the Towarzystwo im. Stefana Żeromskiego (Stefan Żeromski Society) is based here.

Highlights

• Historic school building from the 18th century attended by Żeromski
• Manuscripts of the writer’s works, including a fragment of “Wierna rzeka” (The Faithful River)
• Recording of Żeromski’s voice from 1924
• Collection of letters and photographs from school years
• Illustrations for Żeromski’s works, including by Jan Marcin Szancer

Permanent exhibition

• Wystawa stała o życiu i twórczości Stefana Żeromskiego – Thematic exhibition devoted to the writer’s youth and his work: manuscripts, letters, school photographs and illustrations for his works.

Founded

1965

Admission & discounts

Organised groups may pay by bank transfer. Artists belonging to the Association of Polish Visual Artists (ZPAP) buy the reduced ticket at all branches of the National Museum in Kielce.

Accessibility

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

Because of the historic character of the building, the museum is not adapted for independent visits by wheelchair users: there are high thresholds, no lift and no ramps, and the ticket office and exhibition rooms are on the first and second floors. A virtual walk is available. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are on the opposite side of the street, and the pedestrian crossing with light and audio signals is 50 m away. There is a toilet for mothers with children on the ground floor, but it is not adapted for people with disabilities; the permanent exhibitions have no audio description.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs museum lessons and workshops, mainly for school pupils; entry with pushchairs for small children into the exhibition rooms is permitted.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the immediate vicinity of Castle Hill (Wzgórze Zamkowe).

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

On the ground floor there is a self-service cloakroom; inside the building there are separate rest areas.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit