Muzeum Zamkowe w Pszczynie

About the museum

The beginnings of the brick castle in Pszczyna go back to the first half of the 15th century; in 1433 it withstood an invasion of the Hussites. Under the Promnitz family (1548–1765) the Gothic stronghold was converted into a Renaissance residence and, after 1737, into a baroque palace. In 1870–1876 Prince Hans Heinrich XI von Pless commissioned the architect Alexander Hipolit Destailleur to rebuild it in the style of French baroque, which gave the castle its present shape. In 1914–1917 the imperial Main Headquarters (Główna Kwatera) and the staff of the German army were based here.

The museum opened to the public on 9 May 1946, initially in several rooms on the first floor. The castle is one of the few in this part of Europe that have preserved about 80% of their original interior furnishings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In the 1990s conservation work was carried out and former functions and room arrangements were recreated, for which the museum received the honorary diploma of Europa Nostra in 1995.

Today visitors can see the permanent exhibitions: the Interiors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, the Armoury in the Gothic cellars (since 2006) and the Gallery of Portraits connected with the free lords, counts and princes of Pszczyna. The Princely Stables (Stajnie Książęce) display, among other things, historic horse-drawn vehicles. Since 1979 the International Music Festival “Wieczory u Telemanna” (Evenings with Telemann) has been held in the castle.

Highlights

• interiors with about 80% of the original furnishings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries
• Mirror Hall with two huge 19th-century mirrors
• Armoury in the Gothic cellars with European and Oriental weapons from the 16th–20th centuries
• Gallery of Portraits of the Princes of Pszczyna
• Princely Stables with historic horse-drawn vehicles

Permanent exhibitions

• Wnętrza XIX i XX wieku – Richly furnished princely chambers with about 80% of their original furnishings, including the Mirror Hall and the apartment of Emperor Wilhelm II.
• Zbrojownia – European and Oriental weapons from the 16th to the early 20th century in six vaulted rooms of the Gothic cellars.
• Galeria portretów. W kręgu wolnych panów, hrabiów i książąt pszczyńskich – Portraits of the owners of the Pszczyna land, from free lords to princes.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Muzeum Zamkowe w Pszczynie – instytucja kultury Samorządu Województwa Śląskiego

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Tuesday – free admission for individual tourists without a guide, 10:00–15:00 (entry until 14:00); a quota of 400 tickets. The Apartment of Emperor Wilhelm II and some rooms on the first floor are open.

PLN 50 (reduced PLN 30) applies to the ticket for the 19th- and 20th-century Interiors. Entry to a temporary exhibition requires the simultaneous purchase of a ticket for the Interiors. From 2 November to 31 March, residents of Pszczyna with the Moja Pszczyna Resident Card receive a 90% discount.

Accessibility

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

The castle and the Princely Stables are partly adapted, thanks to stair platforms, lifts and portable rails. A wheelchair is available in the cloakroom, and accessible toilets are located in the castle and in the stables. Because the passenger lift is being modernised, moving between the floors of the castle may be impossible for people with mobility impairments, and the accessible toilet is unavailable during this time. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are marked in the castle and stable courtyards. An audio guide with audio description is available for blind people, and for deaf people there is an app with translation into Polish Sign Language and an induction loop at the ticket office.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Tickets and family passes are available for parents and children aged 7–16, as well as educational and animation sessions, e.g. “Buszowanie po Zamku” (Rummaging around the Castle).

Getting there & parking

The Princely Stables are at ul. Basztowa 6–8 in Pszczyna.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Cloakroom in the castle; before entering the exhibition, visitors put on overshoes.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The museum offers commercial services, including wedding ceremonies in the Mirror Hall.

Plan your visit