Muzeum w Łęczycy

About the museum

The castle in Łęczyca was built by King Casimir the Great, most probably in 1357–1365. It is a typical Casimirian complex and for centuries hosted three Polish rulers: Władysław Jagiełło, Casimir IV Jagiellon and Sigismund III Vasa. After the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, some of the Teutonic Knights’ prisoners awaiting ransom were held here. In the 17th and 18th centuries the castle suffered during the wars with the Swedes and the Bar Confederates, and over time it fell into ruin.

The museum began operating as the Museum of the Łęczyca Land in March 1948 and was officially opened on 16 February 1949 in the rebuilt Dom Nowy (New House). The initial collection numbered about 300 objects, mainly furniture, paintings and glassware from the surrounding estates. In the 1960s architectural research and conservation works were carried out, including the reconstruction of the main tower, the Dom Nowy with its gate, and part of the defensive walls. After their completion in 1976 the castle was handed over to the town, and permanent archaeological, ethnographic and historical exhibitions were opened.

The museum now presents archaeological exhibitions from the Palaeolithic to the early Middle Ages, the history of the Łęczyca Land and the castle, art from the manors of the region, and ethnography. A particular attraction is the collection of sculptures of the devil Boruta, hero of the Łęczyca legends, numbering over 400 exhibits – the largest of its kind in the country.

Highlights

• Royal castle of Casimir the Great with a viewing tower
• The largest museum collection in Poland devoted to the devil Boruta
• Archaeological exhibition from the Palaeolithic to the early Middle Ages
• Historical exhibition on the Łęczyca Land and the Battle of Grunwald
• Art gallery with portraits, furniture and weapons from the manors of the region

Permanent exhibitions

• Wystawa archeologiczna – The exhibition presents finds from the Palaeolithic to the early Middle Ages from the Łęczyca Land, including flint tools of reindeer hunters and urns from Bronze Age cemeteries.
• Wystawa historyczna – A chronological story of the Łęczyca Land and the town from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century, with finds from the castle, the collegiate church in Tum and weapons from the time of Grunwald.
• Dział artystyczny – The rooms with portraits, cabinet furniture, genre paintings and Oriental weapons show works linked to the Łęczyca region from the 17th to the 19th century.

Founded

1948

Admission & discounts

Free admission: every Wednesday (permanent exhibitions)

Free admission is also granted to blood donors. Reduced or free admission requires showing a document confirming the entitlement. Workshops with materials (e.g. clay) cost PLN 150 per group of up to 25 people, plus PLN 12 per participant.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Both entrances to the building (from the gate side and from the courtyard) are reached by stairs, so visiting the exhibition in a wheelchair may be difficult. Visitor toilets are on level -1. There is no sound guidance system for blind and visually impaired people above the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum runs museum lessons, art and pottery workshops and medieval games (archery, multi-person skiing, an attack on a Saracen). Children up to 6 years of age enter free of charge.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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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