Muzeum Zamkowe w Sandomierzu

About the museum

The Castle Museum in Sandomierz continues the tradition of the Museum of the Sandomierz Land (Muzeum Ziemi Sandomierskiej), founded in 1921 on the initiative of activists of the Polish Tourist and Regional Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Krajoznawcze). After the Second World War the institution was reactivated in 1956, and in 1976 it received the status of a district museum. In 1999 it was entered in the State Register of Museums.

Its seat is the Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski), built in the 14th century under Casimir the Great as a residence and a fortress guarding the Vistula. The castle took on a Renaissance character in the time of the Jagiellonians, suffered during the Swedish Deluge, and in the partition period served as barracks and a prison. In 1986 it was handed over to the museum for perpetual usufruct, and after a long renovation it became the museum’s main seat. The works especially distinguished concerned the southern tower (baszta południowa) and the knights’ hall in 2004–2005.

The collections cover monuments from prehistory to the present day, with a particular emphasis on archaeology, ethnography, history and art of the region: from cremation graves from the Roman period and medieval hoards of coins to folk costumes and literary archives. The museum also runs educational activities, workshops, conferences and concerts.

Highlights

• Gothic Royal Castle from the 14th century above the Vistula
• exhibition on the Sandomierz Land in prehistory and the early Middle Ages
• Sandomierz chessmen (szachy sandomierskie)
• religious art from the collections of the Dominicans in Sandomierz
• lapidarium and the open-air exhibition “Dotyk Historii” (Touch of History) with models of monuments

Permanent exhibitions

• Ziemia Sandomierska w pradziejach i wczesnym średniowieczu – Archaeological exhibition on the history of the region from prehistory to the early Middle Ages.
• Sztuka religijna ze zbiorów Dominikanów w Sandomierzu – Collection of sacred works of art from the Dominican monastery in Sandomierz.
• Szachy sandomierskie – Exhibition devoted to the Sandomierz chessmen.

Founded

1921

Operated by

Muzeum Zamkowe w Sandomierzu

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Tuesdays, admission to the permanent exhibitions is free all year round for individual tourists.

Holders of the Large Family Card and of the Sandomierz Resident Card receive 50% off admission tickets. Admission is free for, among others, children under 7, holders of the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka), museum employees and members of ICOM and ICOMOS. Tickets can be bought online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the castle and movement between its four levels (cellar, ground floor, first and second floor) is only by stairs; there is no lift or platform, and the route through the gateway has a considerable slope. The ticket desk is at a height suitable for wheelchair users. In the courtyard there is an open-air exhibition, “Dotyk Historii” (Touch of History), with models of Sandomierz monuments, also labelled in Braille. Assistance dogs may enter the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum runs classes for children, quests and museum games. The family ticket (2+3) costs PLN 75, and children under 7 enter free of charge.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum runs a shop, including an online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum rents out spaces, among them the knights’ hall, for conferences and concerts; details are in the rental price list on the museum’s website.

Plan your visit