Muzeum Wojska Polskiego w Warszawie

About the museum

The Muzeum Wojska Polskiego (Museum of the Polish Army) was established by decree of Józef Piłsudski of 22 April 1920, and its first director was Colonel Bronisław Gembarzewski. The official opening in the building at ul. Podwale 15 took place in March 1922. In 1933 the seat was moved to the building of the National Museum on today’s Aleje Jerozolimskie.

Before the outbreak of the Second World War the museum had gathered about 60,000 exhibits. During the occupation part of the collections was plundered and taken to Germany, and after the war about 40,000 objects were recovered. In January 1946 the institution reopened as the first museum operating in liberated Warsaw; it has borne its present name since 1944.

The idea of moving the museum to the Warsaw Citadel had already appeared in 1977, when an architectural competition was decided, but it was not then realised. It returned after the opening of the Katyń Museum in the Citadel in 2015. In January 2023 the museum closed its former seat on Aleje Jerozolimskie, and on 13 August 2023 it opened a new pavilion in the Citadel, referring in its layout to the barracks of the Royal Guard from the time of the First Commonwealth.

The new seat presents the exhibition “1000 Years of the Glory of Polish Arms”, which tells the history of the Polish army through weapons, uniforms and the fates of people. The building also houses a collections store, workshops and educational rooms. The museum runs branches, including the Katyń Museum in the Citadel and the Museum of the Battle of Warsaw 1920 in Ossów.

Highlights

• Exhibition “1000 Years of the Glory of Polish Arms”
• Weapons, uniforms and vehicles from the history of the Polish army
• Modern pavilion in the Warsaw Citadel
• Audio guide app for visits
• Virtual walk through the museum

Permanent exhibition

• 1000 lat chwały oręża polskiego – One exhibition on a thousand years of the history of the Polish army, shown through weapons, uniforms and the fates of people.

Founded

1920

Operated by

Muzeum Wojska Polskiego – państwowa instytucja kultury podległa Ministrowi Obrony Narodowej

Director

Bogusław Pacek

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursday – free admission.

Free admission is also granted to soldiers on active duty and to veterans and combatants of operations outside the territory of the state. Tickets are bought at the ticket office, from a ticket machine or online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 museum states that it is accessible to people with disabilities. The entrance to the Citadel convenient for people with mobility disabilities leads through the Żoliborz Gate at ul. Dymińska 13. Guide dogs may be taken into the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs museum lessons and workshops with historical teaching aids and replicas. Children under 7 enter free, and families with the Large Family Card pay PLN 25 per person.

Getting there & parking

Pedestrian entrances to the Citadel grounds: Żoliborz Gate (ul. Dymińska 13), Bielany Gate (ul. Czujna), the New Town Gate by the Katyń Museum (ul. Jana Jeziorańskiego 4), and the Gate of Executions from the Gdynia Embankment side.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Outer garments, backpacks, bags and umbrellas are left in the cloakroom or in a locker; a fee of PLN 100 applies for a lost cloakroom ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Available for hire are, among others, the main hall (about 300 m²) and the audiovisual room (about 130 m², up to 100 people).

Plan your visit