Muzeum Ziemi Bieckiej w Bieczu

About the museum

Ideas for a museum in Biecz had been around since the end of the 19th century, but the first collections were scattered during both world wars. The Muzeum Regionalne w Bieczu (Regional Museum in Biecz) finally opened on 20 December 1953 on the initiative of the local branch of the PTTK, and its first seat was a Renaissance townhouse called the Kromerówka. In 2003 the institution adopted its present name, Muzeum Ziemi Bieckiej.

In the following decades the collections moved to several historic buildings. Between 1958 and 1978 the Dom z Basztą (House with a Tower) was renovated, a townhouse from 1523 with a medieval defensive tower. In 1990 the museum took over the Baszta Kowalska (Smiths’ Tower) in the town walls. The museum also uses prison cells on the ground floor of the town hall tower, and its guides show visitors around the Collegiate Church of Corpus Christi and the church of St Anne.

The collections include works connected with Marcin Kromer and Wacław Potocki, a library of former Biecz townspeople, Gothic and Renaissance sculpture, materials from archaeological research, products of craft guilds, folk musical instruments, contemporary painting and pharmacy memorabilia. The museum now presents them in ten permanent exhibitions in four of its own and affiliated buildings.

Highlights

• House with a Tower from 1523
• Kromerówka, a Renaissance townhouse from 1519
• Turma Ratuszowa (town hall prison), a medieval prison with an exhibition on the executioners of Biecz
• Town hall tower with a view of the town
• Folk musical instruments and pharmacy collections
• Guided tours of the Collegiate Church of Corpus Christi and St Anne’s church

Permanent exhibitions

• Turma Ratuszowa – Medieval prison on the ground floor of the town hall tower, with an exhibition on former justice, the executioners of Biecz and instruments of torture.
• Kromerówka – Renaissance townhouse from 1519, rebuilt in 1612, with the museum’s permanent exhibition.

Founded

1953

Operated by

Gmina Biecz (samorządowa instytucja kultury)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Fridays admission to the museum’s buildings is free (not applicable to the Collegiate Church, St Anne’s church with the monastery, and the viewing tower).

The prices given apply to the Dom z Basztą. Admission to the Turma Ratuszowa, to St Anne’s church and to the monastery of the Reformed Franciscans (klasztor oo. Reformatów) is free. A town walk including the Collegiate Church and St Anne’s church costs PLN 250 per group (maximum 25 people), plus PLN 6 per person for admission.

Accessibility

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

The buildings are historic and have limitations. The Kromerówka can be entered by means of portable ramps, but the toilet is outside the building and is not accessible to wheelchair users. In the House with a Tower, access requires climbing stairs, and there is no induction loop or Braille description. The Baszta Kowalska (wooden stairs) and the tower are not adapted. The museum offers an alternative: a town walk, a virtual tour and lectures outside the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The museum runs museum lessons and workshops for school groups; a changing table is available by the Kromerówka. Children under 10 must be accompanied by adults.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

A toilet and a changing table are located by the Kromerówka (ul. Kromera 3); there is no toilet in the House with a Tower.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit