Muzeum Zachodniokaszubskie w Bytowie

About the museum

The Muzeum Zachodniokaszubskie (West Kashubian Museum) in Bytów is housed in the northern, oldest wing of the castle, called the Dom Zakonny (Convent House), in two adjoining towers, the Młyńska (Mill) Tower and the Prochowa (Powder) Tower, and in the curtain defence wall. The castle was built in the Teutonic period as the seat of a procurator directly subordinate to the Grand Master, and was later extended by the Pomeranian dukes of the Griffin dynasty (Gryfici).

The tour begins on the ground floor, where the permanent ethnographic exhibition “Material Culture of the Bytów Kashubians” (Kultura materialna Kaszubów Bytowskich) is shown in the former servants' quarters and utility rooms. It is divided into six rooms devoted, among other things, to agriculture, fishing, beekeeping, village crafts and the furnishings of a cottage. On the first floor are the historical exhibitions: the former refectory, the procurator's chamber, the chapel, rooms devoted to the Griffins with a copy of the map of the Duchy of Pomerania, and the Portrait Hall (Sala Portretowa) with a gallery of portraits of the Pomeranian dukes.

On the second floor there is the largest room for temporary exhibitions and an exhibition of contemporary Kashubian folk art, while the Mill Tower houses an exhibition on the history of Bytów; from the defence walls the castle courtyard can be seen. The museum also has separate sites: the Gothic Tower of St Catherine (Gotycka Wieża św. Katarzyny) with an exhibition on the former spirituality of the inhabitants and an archaeological excavation of the former parish church, and branches in Płotowo. On the first Tuesday of the month, concerts from the series “Music at the Castle” (Muzyka na Zamku) take place in the Portrait Hall.

Highlights

• Ethnographic exhibition “Material Culture of the Bytów Kashubians” in six rooms
• Teutonic interiors of the castle: refectory, procurator's chamber and chapel
• Portrait Hall with a gallery of 16 portraits of Pomeranian dukes
• Exhibition of contemporary Kashubian folk art
• Mill Tower with an exhibition on the history of Bytów and a walk along the defence walls

Permanent exhibitions

• Kultura materialna Kaszubów Bytowskich – Ethnographic exhibition on the ground floor, in six rooms, showing agricultural tools, fishing and beekeeping equipment, village crafts, basketry, weaving and the furnishings of a village cottage.
• Wystawa historyczna na pierwszym piętrze – Interiors of the Teutonic castle with the refectory, procurator's chamber and chapel, and rooms devoted to the Griffin dukes with the Portrait Hall.
• Współczesna sztuka ludowa Kaszub – Exhibition in the attic presenting contemporary sculpture, painting on canvas and glass, embroidery, pottery, toy-making and musical instruments by folk artists.

Operated by

Muzeum Zachodniokaszubskie w Bytowie

Director

Tomasz Siemiński

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Mondays admission is free to selected permanent exhibitions.

Free Monday admission applies to the permanent exhibitions “Material Culture of the Bytów Kashubians” and “The Work of Józef Chełmowski”.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 50 guests.

The Portrait Hall (74 m², 50 seats, screen, projector and sound system, toilets on the ground floor) is rented only for academic purposes, chamber concerts, artistic events and weddings.

Plan your visit