Muzeum Zamek w Oświęcimiu

About the museum

The Zamek Museum in Oświęcim (Muzeum Zamek w Oświęcimiu) began operating on 1 January 2010 as a municipal cultural institution. Its task is to collect and display archaeological, historical and ethnographic objects connected with Oświęcim and the Oświęcim Land, and to bring the history of the town closer to residents and visitors.

The castle hill was already settled in the 11th century, and from the 12th century a castellan's stronghold stood on it. After it was destroyed by the Tatars in 1241, the site was rebuilt and a brick defence tower was erected, the oldest structure on the hill. In the 14th century the castle was the seat of the Dukes of Oświęcim of the Piast line, and after 1457 royal starosts resided in it. It burnt down in 1503 and was rebuilt, but later, during the Swedish Deluge, it was destroyed and gradually fell into ruin. In the 19th and early 20th century it changed owners and served as offices and storage; its present shape is the result of rebuilding in the early 20th century.

The museum today looks after the castle with its tower, the tunnels under the castle hill dating from the 18th–20th century, and the 19th-century town hall on the Main Square (Rynek Główny) with relics of the former town hall. In the castle visitors can see an archaeological exhibition, an exhibition on the history of the town, interiors of a pre-war burgher's home and a reconstruction of World War I trenches; in the town hall, the story of Oświęcim's history.

Highlights

• Medieval defence tower with a view over the town (98 steps)
• Archaeological exhibition with the tombstone of Mikołaj Myszkowski
• Reconstruction of pre-war burgher interiors in Oświęcim
• Reconstruction of World War I trenches
• Tours of the tunnels under the castle hill (seasonal)
• Branch in the town hall on the Main Square

Permanent exhibitions

• Archeologia – Finds from excavations on the castle hill, in the Old Town and on the site of the former Wołek fortress, including medieval axes, a 15th-century sword and the Gothic tombstone of Mikołaj Myszkowski.
• Wnętrza mieszczańskie – Reconstruction of the interiors of pre-war Oświęcim houses: a parlour, a bedroom and a children's room with furniture, porcelain and toys donated by residents.
• W przestrzeniach historii. Dzieje miasta Oświęcimia – Exhibition in the town hall on the Main Square on the history of the town from the Middle Ages to more recent times.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Gmina Miejska Oświęcim (miejska instytucja kultury)

Director

Wioletta Oleś

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Tuesdays admission to the permanent exhibitions and the castle tower is free for individual tourists (not applicable to organised groups).

Holders of the Oświęcim Family Card (Oświęcimska Karta Rodziny) enter the tower free of charge when buying a ticket to the castle, and the Oświęcim Resident Card (Oświęcimska Karta Mieszkańca) gives a 25% discount. Exempt from fees are, among others, members of ICOM, ICOMOS and SMP (Polish Museum Association), and museum employees.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

A ramp leads to the castle, and the exhibitions on the ground floor and first floor are accessible to wheelchair users; a lift serves all floors except the attic, and adapted toilets are on the ground floor and the second floor. Climbing the hill by the cobbled path requires help from an accompanying person. The dugout in the trench reconstruction is not accessible, and neither are the tower (98 steps) or the tunnels. The town hall has a ramp and an internal platform operated by a staff member from ul. Klasztorna; the entrance from the Main Square requires two steps.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs workshops and museum lessons, holiday activities and family classes; a family ticket costs PLN 30. Children under 13 may enter the tunnels only with an adult, and in group tours people from the age of 10 may take part.

Getting there & parking

The castle stands on the hill in the Old Town district, about 5 minutes on foot from the Main Square and about 30 minutes on foot from the PKP railway station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

The cloakroom and ticket office are in the ground-floor hall of the castle; there is a museum shop in the castle.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit