Willa Polonia – Buska Galeria Sztuki

About the museum

Villa “Polonia” stands at al. Mickiewicza 7 and is the only wooden building within the so-called old town of Busko. It was built around 1900, and its first owner was the spa doctor Julian Majkowski. During the Second World War the German occupation authorities set up a security police post and a special court here; interrogations involving torture took place on the upper floor, and there was a detention cell in the cellars. For this reason the building is also a place of remembrance of the struggle and martyrdom of Poles.

After the war the villa served various offices and institutions in turn, and in 1980 its condition qualified it for demolition. It was saved by social efforts, and in 1980–1989 a thorough renovation was carried out. A gallery of the Art Exhibition Bureau “Zielona” was set up here, and in 1990 the Busko Land Museum (Muzeum Ziemi Buskiej), which operated until 2021. The building has again been thoroughly renovated and is now run by the Busko Local Government Culture Centre as the Busko Art Gallery Villa Polonia, with four exhibition rooms.

On 7 June 2024 a new permanent exhibition, “Projekt Historia” (Project History), devoted to the history of Busko-Zdrój, was opened on the upper floor. It tells the story of the settlement since the 12th century, of the first mention of Busko salt in a privilege of 1252, of the Reformation in the Busko Land, and of the development of the spa with its Alpine villas. It also presents the profiles of folk singer Krystyna Jamroz and Wojtek Belon, creator of the tourist song. Admission is free.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Projekt Historia” on the history of Busko-Zdrój
• Wooden villa from around 1900, the only one in the old town of Busko
• Profiles of Krystyna Jamroz and Wojtek Belon
• History of Busko salt and the development of the spa
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Projekt Historia – Permanent exhibition on the upper floor of the villa on the history of Busko-Zdrój from the 12th century, Busko salt, the Reformation and the development of the spa, and on Krystyna Jamroz and Wojtek Belon.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Buskie Samorządowe Centrum Kultury

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the permanent exhibition “Projekt Historia” is free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

The permanent exhibition is on the upper floor of the historic villa. Information on the accessibility of the building has not been found.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The villa lies in the centre of Busko-Zdrój at al. Mickiewicza 7.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit