Pałac Schoena Muzeum w Sosnowcu

About the museum

The Schoen Palace in Sosnowiec was built at the end of the 19th century in the neo-Baroque style as the representative residence of the industrialist Ernst Schoen. The brothers Ernst and Franz Schoen came to Sosnowiec from Werdau in Saxony in 1875 and founded two textile factories in the town. The residence was designed by the Wrocław architect Karl Grosser. After the Second World War the palace housed a kindergarten and private flats, and in 1980 the palace and park complex was entered in the register of monuments.

The museum in the palace began operating in 1985 as a branch of the Muzeum Górnośląskie w Bytomiu (Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom). In 1995 the institution was taken over by the city of Sosnowiec, and since then it has operated as an independent cultural institution. In 2018 the Instytut Zagłębia Dąbrowskiego (Dąbrowa Basin Institute) was established at the museum; it conducts research and documents the traditions of the region.

The collections cover departments of art, archaeology, the history and culture of the city, and glass. The collection of Polish modern glass numbers nearly 9,000 objects from around 1850 to the 21st century, with the core formed by utility glass from state and cooperative glassworks that operated until 1989. The museum organises temporary exhibitions, lessons, workshops and cultural events; next to the palace stands a smaller Schoen residence from 1900, as well as a park.

Highlights

• Neo-Baroque palace of Ernst Schoen with corner turrets
• Unique collection of Polish utility glass, nearly 9,000 objects
• Permanent exhibition “Polskie szkło współczesne” (Polish Contemporary Glass)
• Archaeological collections and the history of Sosnowiec and the Dąbrowa Basin
• Educational escape room “Po drugiej stronie szafy” (Through the Wardrobe)

Permanent exhibition

• Polskie szkło współczesne – The permanent exhibition presents designs of utility, artistic and unique glass from the museum’s collection, covering the highlights of Polish glassmaking from the mid-19th century onwards.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Miasto Sosnowiec

Director

Paweł Dusza

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Thursdays admission is free to all exhibitions (not including special exhibitions).

The temporary exhibition in the “Trójkąt w kole” (Triangle in the Circle) Gallery is free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building has a lift for people with disabilities and families with small children. In front of the building there is a lowered bollard that lets through vehicles carrying people with disabilities. Dogs are allowed in the museum and in the café.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum organises children’s birthday parties, workshops and the educational escape room “Po drugiej stronie szafy” (Through the Wardrobe). The lift makes visits easier with small children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

The TWK café is on site; the museum shop is run online.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum hires out rooms; details are in the “Wynajem sal” (Venue hire) section of the museum’s website.

Plan your visit