Muzeum Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego

About the museum

The University of Warsaw Museum was established in 1980 and continues the tradition of collecting objects that have served the university since its beginnings. Attached to the five faculties of the former university there were more than twenty scientific cabinets and art collections, and their holdings formed the basis of the Museum of Fine Arts (Muzeum Sztuk Pięknych), from which the National Museum in Warsaw derives. The collections were first exhibited in the Kazimierz Palace (Pałac Kazimierzowski), and in 2000 they were moved to the present seat.

The Tyszkiewicz-Potocki Palace was begun in 1785 by the Lithuanian field hetman Ludwik Tyszkiewicz, and the works were carried out, among others, by the royal architect Jan Chrystian Kamsetzer. After the death of the founder the building was inherited by his daughter Anna, wife of Aleksander Potocki. In 1923 the Potocki family sold it to the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (National Economy Bank). In 1944 the palace burnt down, and it was rebuilt in 1948–1956, after which it became part of the University of Warsaw campus. The renovation of the interiors was completed in 2015.

The museum holds several tens of thousands of monuments, archival materials and photographs: insignia and ceremonial objects, medals, scientific instruments, works of art, legacies of university staff and publications. From 2015 to 2025 the exhibition “Orzeł i pięć gwiazd Uniwersytetu” (The Eagle and the Five Stars of the University) was shown in the Dining Room (Sala Stołowa), and now the new exhibition “Uniwersytet Warszawski. Pasja, Nauka, Tożsamość” (University of Warsaw: Passion, Science, Identity) is on display.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history of the University of Warsaw since 1816
• Classicist Tyszkiewicz-Potocki palace
• University insignia, scientific instruments and works of art
• Guided tours of the museum and the campus
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Uniwersytet Warszawski. Pasja, Nauka, Tożsamość – The exhibition tells the history of the University of Warsaw from its foundation in 1816 to the present day, with particular attention to scientists and their discoveries, combining historic objects, documents and interactive presentations.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Uniwersytet Warszawski

Director

dr hab. Hubert Kowalski, prof. ucz.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the museum is free. Guided tours are paid.

Accessibility

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

The building has no lift and no toilets adapted for people with disabilities; from the Krakowskie Przedmieście side there is a step of about 7 cm at the entrance, and the doors are opened by hand. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are on the grounds of the Central Campus (a parking card is required). Assistance dogs may enter without restriction. For blind and partially sighted visitors the museum offers free guided tours with special aids. A Polish Sign Language (PJM) interpreter must be requested from the Office for Persons with Disabilities (tel. 22 55 24 22, bon@uw.edu.pl) at least three days in advance.

Kids & families

The museum offers educational programmes for kindergartens and schools, including a children's programme “W Krainie Archeologii” (In the Land of Archaeology).

Getting there & parking

Parking spaces for people with disabilities are on the grounds of the Central Campus.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit