Muzeum św. Maksymiliana „Był Człowiek”
Museum in the Niepokalanów monastery devoted to St Maximilian Kolbe, the history of the monastery-publishing house and Franciscan missions.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The St Maximilian Museum “Był Człowiek” operates on the grounds of the Niepokalanów monastery and was opened to visitors in August 1998. Previously the saint’s relics were shown in the so-called Sala Pamiątek (Memorabilia Hall), in the former wooden chapel from 1927–1929. When the chapel was restored to its original function, the collections were moved to a pre-war building which once housed a laundry and a carpentry workshop.
The exhibition in three rooms was prepared by staff of the Muzeum Miasta Pabianic (Pabianice City Museum), drawing on the monastery’s archive. The first room recalls the beginnings of the monastery, and a bronze statue of St Maximilian welcomes visitors there. The second room presents his life from childhood and his studies to his publishing and missionary work in Poland and Japan, and shows how the monastery-publishing house of Niepokalanów was founded and functioned; it contains a replica of his monastic cell, where he lived from 1936 until his arrest in February 1941.
The third room is devoted to Franciscan missions, including those in Japan, Brazil, Zambia and Peru. The exhibits are mainly photographs, letters, souvenirs and objects from the missions, with explanatory captions.
Highlights
- Biographical exhibition on St Maximilian Kolbe
- History of the Niepokalanów monastery-publishing house
- Replica of a monastic cell from 1936
- Mission collections from Japan, Brazil, Zambia and Peru
Permanent exhibition
- Był Człowiek – Exhibition in three rooms on the life of St Maximilian Kolbe, the history of Niepokalanów and the Franciscan missions.
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Klasztor Niepokalanów (Zakon Braci Mniejszych Konwentualnych)
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The museum is located on the grounds of the Niepokalanów monastery, in the village of Paprotnia near Teresin; a map of the monastery is available at niepokalanow.pl.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The monastery houses the “U Braci” canteen and a bookshop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The grounds of the monastery also include a fire brigade museum and a papal museum with historic papal cars, as well as the basilica and other chapels. |
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