Muzeum Ziemi Międzyrzeckiej im. Alfa Kowalskiego

About the museum

The first museum in Międzyrzecz was the German Heimatmuseum, founded in 1924. After the town was occupied in January 1945, its collections were looted or scattered. The Polish museum was organised from scratch by the artist Alf Kowalski, who secured monuments in the district in 1945; the first exhibition opened on 18 March 1946. From 1949 the museum has been housed in the historic buildings of the former starosts' manor house and an annex from the early 18th century, which after a major renovation were ceremonially opened in 1965. In 1966 the institution was honoured with the title Pomnik Kultury Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego (Monument of Culture of the Millennium of the Polish State).

In 2012 the name was changed to Muzeum Ziemi Międzyrzeckiej im. Alfa Kowalskiego (Museum of the Międzyrzecz Land named after Alf Kowalski). Since 2018 the museum has been run jointly by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage and the Międzyrzecz District (Powiat Międzyrzecki). In November 2024 the Piast castle with its manor and park complex was declared a Pomnik Historii (Monument of History). The complex also includes a reconstructed gatehouse and a manor inn from the mid-18th century.

The permanent exhibitions show coffin portraits and the old Polish funeral rite (the largest collection in Poland, 220 objects), the history of the stronghold and castle from the 9th to the 14th century, the history of the town and region up to 1947, and the folk culture of western Greater Poland, with a collection of costumes and a model of a living room. The castle, built in the 14th to 16th centuries, is the only royal Piast castle in the Lubusz Voivodeship. Its interiors and courtyard are currently temporarily closed because of renovation work.

Highlights

• Largest collection of coffin portraits in Poland (220 objects)
• Portrait of ten-year-old Ewa Bronikowska and reconstruction of a castrum doloris
• Exhibition on the stronghold and castle (9th–14th century), including a hologram of the gemma of Gordian III
• Collection of folk costumes and a model room from the late 19th century
• Piast castle declared a Monument of History (temporarily closed)

Permanent exhibitions

• Portret trumienny i staropolski obrządek pogrzebowy (XVII–XVIII wiek) – The largest collection of coffin portraits, inscription and heraldic plaques in Poland (220 objects), together with a reconstruction of a castrum doloris.
• Dzieje międzyrzeckiego grodu i zamku (IX–XIV wiek) – Archaeological and historical exhibition on the origins of Międzyrzecz, with finds from excavations, including a hologram of the gemma of Emperor Gordian III.
• Historia miasta i regionu oraz kultura ludowa – History of the town from its founding charter to 1947, with an emphasis on multiculturalism, and an ethnographic exhibition with folk costumes and a model room from the late 19th century.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Minister Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego oraz Powiat Międzyrzecki

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Tuesdays admission to the museum is free (individual visits without a guide and without booking).

The ticket with the Large Family Card (Karta Dużej Rodziny) costs PLN 12. Tickets are bought at the museum's ticket office. Use of the audio guide and guiding services is charged separately.

Accessibility

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

Two parking spaces for people with disabilities are marked in the museum car park. Animals are not allowed, except guide dogs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Backpacks, bags, luggage and outer garments must be left in the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle and castle grounds are available for hire for events (from PLN 200 per hour), and the Portrait Hall for civil weddings (PLN 400 per hour). Prices gross.

Plan your visit