Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego Collegium Maius

About the museum

The Collegium Maius at the corner of ul. Jagiellońska and ul. Św. Anny is the oldest university building in Poland. In 1400 King Władysław Jagiełło gave the university a townhouse bought from the Kraków councillor Piotr Gerhardsdorf, whose fourteenth-century walls survived in the foundations and in one of the corners. In the 15th century the college was extended with neighbouring houses and new wings, and after the fires of 1462 and 1492 the buildings were grouped around an arcaded courtyard with late Gothic vaulted cloisters.

On the first floor were the library, the common professors’ room Stuba Communis, the treasury and the lecture hall of the theologians, today the Aula; professors lived in apartments on the upper floors. In 1840–1870 the building was remodelled in the neo-Gothic style and handed over to the Jagiellonian Library. After its departure in 1940, Prof. Karol Estreicher led a thorough reconstruction in 1949–1964, which removed the neo-Gothic additions and restored the building’s appearance from before 1840.

After the renovation the building housed the Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego (Jagiellonian University Museum), which holds the university’s former collections: works of art, memorabilia and an extensive collection of scientific instruments. Visitors will see, among others, the Libraria, the Stuba Communis, the Treasury, the gallery of medieval sculpture, the rooms with globes, as well as the Sala Zegarowa (Clock Room), the Sala z Lunetami (Telescope Room) and rooms devoted to physics, chemistry and cartography.

Highlights

• Oldest university building in Poland, with an arcaded courtyard
• Libraria and Stuba Communis – former university rooms
• Treasury and the Copernicus Treasury (Skarbiec Kopernika)
• Rooms with globes and a collection of scientific instruments
• Chiming clock in the courtyard

Permanent exhibitions

• Ekspozycja główna – historyczne wnętrza Collegium Maius – The route leads through the Libraria, Stuba Communis, the Treasury, professors’ rooms, the gallery of medieval sculpture and the rooms with globes; some rooms (including the Aula Jagiellońska and the Green Room) are currently closed for renovation.
• Zwiedzanie rozszerzone o instrumenty naukowe – Guided variant also covering the Chemistry Room, Physics Room, Karol Olszewski Room, Telescope Room, KEN Room and Clock Room.

Founded

1964

Operated by

Uniwersytet Jagielloński

Director

Krzysztof Stopka

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Wednesdays – free individual visits (13:30–16:00).

Tickets are bought at the museum ticket office or online at bilety.uj.edu.pl. Prices apply to the main exhibition; temporary exhibitions have separate rules.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

The lift intended for people with disabilities is temporarily unavailable because of the renovation of the Schody Studenckie (Student Staircase). The museum runs the “Muzeum Dostępne” (Accessible Museum) section, which offers services for people with disabilities, audio descriptions and adaptations.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers museum lessons, art workshops and the materials “Maius dla dzieci i rodziców” (Maius for Children and Parents), with tasks to do at home and films for children.

Getting there & parking

Entrance from ul. Jagiellońska 15, at the corner with ul. Św. Anny.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

In the courtyard there is the café “U Pęcherza” (daily 9:00–18:00) and the Jagiellonian University promotional stand (Monday–Saturday 9:00–17:00). The Professors’ Garden and the Estreicher Alley are closed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum rents out rooms (see the “Wynajem sal” page).

Plan your visit