Muzeum Tradycji Niepodległościowych w Łodzi

About the museum

The main seat of the Muzeum Tradycji Niepodległościowych is in a former prison building from 1883–1885, erected on what was then ul. Długa, today ul. Gdańska. The tsarist prison primarily held political prisoners, including activists of the Polish Socialist Party (PPS) and other independence movements. The building also served as a prison during the First World War, in the interwar period and under German occupation, and after the war until 1953. In the last two periods it was a women's prison.

The museum's beginnings go back to 1959, when the Museum of the History of the Revolutionary Movement (Muzeum Historii Ruchu Rewolucyjnego) was established. Since 1 January 1990 the institution has borne its present name and has popularised knowledge of the Polish paths to independence. The collections include documents, photographs and works of art from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the interwar period, the Second World War and the Polish People's Republic (PRL), as well as materials on the history of Łódź and the region.

The main seat houses the permanent exhibitions “Drogi do niepodległej 1791–1921” (Paths to Independent Poland) and “Więzienie przy Długiej (Gdańskiej) w Łodzi 1885–1953” (The Prison on Długa (Gdańska) Street in Łódź). The latter occupies the ground floor of the west wing, where in the former cells, with original doors and stoves, the history of the prison in the tsarist period, during the war and in the years of Stalinist repression is shown. The museum also runs branches: the Radogoszcz Martyrdom Branch (Oddział Martyrologii Radogoszcz), Radegast Station (Stacja Radegast) and the Forge of the Roma (Kuźnia Romów).

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Paths to Independent Poland 1791–1921”
• Exhibition “The Prison on Długa (Gdańska) Street in Łódź 1885–1953” in the former cells
• Historic prison building from 1883–1885
• Documents and photographs from the history of the prison, including transport lists of women prisoners
• Combined ticket for all branches of the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Drogi do niepodległej 1791–1921 – Exhibition on the struggle of the Poles for a free state, from the Constitution of 3 May 1791 to the regaining of independence in 1918.
• Więzienie przy Długiej (Gdańskiej) w Łodzi 1885–1953 – Exhibition in the former cells and bathhouse of the west wing on the history of the prison in the tsarist period, during the wars and in the years of Stalinist repression.

Founded

1959

Operated by

Muzeum Tradycji Niepodległościowych w Łodzi

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission every Wednesday.

The price list has applied since 19 September 2025. The PLN 12 ticket covers a visit to the given branch.

Accessibility

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

Two steps and a ramp for wheelchairs lead to the building, and the entrance doors are wide. The hall and the exhibition rooms on the ground floor are accessible to people with mobility impairments, but there is no lift to the rooms on the upper floor. The building has no toilet adapted for people with disabilities. In front of the building there is a car park without a designated space for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum offers families a museum game with work cards for selected exhibitions, as well as workshops, lessons and city games for groups.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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