Muzeum w Ostródzie

About the museum

The Museum in Ostróda is an independent cultural institution established on 20 September 2000 on the basis of the earlier Agency for the Protection of Cultural Property – Museum Room (Agencja Ochrony Dóbr Kultury – Izba Muzealna); its founding body is the Town of Ostróda. The traditions of a town museum go back to the interwar period, when a museum room based on the collection of teacher Emil Schnippel operated at the gymnasium, and in 1927 the Association for the Regional Museum was set up. After the Second World War the collections were scattered, and part of them went to the Museum of Warmia and Masuria in Olsztyn.

The museum is housed in the 14th-century Teutonic Knights’ castle, rebuilt since the 1990s; the first rooms were opened in 1997. The castle was the seat of the Ostróda commanders, and in February and March 1807 Napoleon Bonaparte was quartered there while conducting the Prussian campaign from it.

The permanent exhibitions are on the ground floor of the castle, in rooms with Gothic cross-rib vaults, and consist of three parts: “Ostróda w czasach najdawniejszych” (Ostróda in the Most Ancient Times), “Ostróda w XIX i XX wieku” (Ostróda in the 19th and 20th Centuries) and “Napoleon w Ostródzie” (Napoleon in Ostróda), opened in 2022. Visitors will see, among other things, two models showing the spatial development of the town in the 16th and early 20th centuries, Bronze Age treasures, hoards of Roman coins and medieval denarii, finds from the castle and the old town, and pre-war postcards.

Highlights

• Teutonic castle of the 14th century as the museum’s seat
• Exhibition “Napoleon w Ostródzie” (Napoleon in Ostróda) in the Gothic hall
• Models of the town’s spatial development in the 16th and early 20th centuries
• Bronze Age treasures and hoards of Roman coins
• Pre-war postcards with views of Ostróda

Permanent exhibitions

• Ostróda w czasach najdawniejszych – Archaeological finds from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages, including hoards of Roman coins and denarii and finds from the castle and the old town.
• Napoleon w Ostródzie – Exhibition in the Gothic hall on the stay of Emperor Napoleon in the castle from 21 February to 1 April 1807, set in the context of the East Prussian campaign.
• Ostróda w XIX i XX wieku – Everyday objects, models of the town’s development and pre-war postcards with views of Ostróda.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Gmina Miejska Ostróda

Director

dr Adam Marzewski

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Thursdays admission to the regional (permanent) exhibitions is free of charge.

The prices given apply to the permanent exhibitions: “Ostróda w czasach najdawniejszych”, “Ostróda w XIX i XX wieku” (Ostróda in the 19th and 20th Centuries) and “Napoleon w Ostródzie”.

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 permanent exhibitions are on the ground floor of the castle. Detailed information on accessibility has not been found.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

A family ticket is available (PLN 48), and for children and young people there are workshops where they can strike a coin, make paper or create a postcard themselves.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the castle by Lake Drwęckie, at the mouth of the Drwęca River, in the north-western part of the medieval town.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a small museum shop on site; card payment is possible.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit