Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych w Ostrołęce
Multimedia permanent exhibition on the post-war anti-communist underground, in the buildings of a former investigation prison from 1904.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea of a museum devoted to the Cursed Soldiers (Żołnierze Wyklęci) arose among parliamentarians, local government representatives and historical organisations in Ostrołęka. The Ostrołęka City Council adopted a resolution to establish it on 28 February 2013. After several years the project was supported by the government and the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, which made it possible to obtain funds from the state budget for rebuilding the seat and preparing the permanent exhibition.
The museum is housed on the site of a former investigation prison, whose origins go back to 1904, when Ostrołęka was a county town in the Łomża Governorate of the Russian Empire. The historic main building has been supplemented with modern structures, some of them underground. As a state institution, the museum opened to visitors on 1 March 2022.
The modern, multimedia permanent exhibition tells the story of Polish resistance to the Sovietisation of the country after 1945. It begins with the pre-war period and the outbreak of the Second World War, then presents the currents of the anti-communist underground, the largest armed actions, the profiles of commanders, the system of Stalinist repression and the show trials. The site also has a cinema, a digital shooting range, a bookshop and a café.
Highlights
- Multimedia permanent exhibition on the anti-communist underground after 1945
- Seat in the buildings of a former investigation prison from 1904
- Presentation of the most important figures and largest battles of the underground
- Guided tour or audio guide
- Cinema with 140 seats and a digital shooting range
Permanent exhibition
- Wystawa stała Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych – Multimedia exhibition on Polish resistance to the Sovietisation of the country after 1945: from the pre-war period, through the currents of the underground and the largest battles, to Stalinist repression and show trials.
- Founded
- 2022
Admission & discounts
| Reduced | –students and doctoral students, people over 65, pensioners, people receiving disability pensions, people with disabilities with carers, teachers and veterans, and other groups listed in the ticket sales regulations. |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children under 7 enter free of charge. |
| Groups (8+ people) | –Group tickets can be booked for groups of at least 8 people, no later than 14 days before the date. Supervisors of school groups (one per 15 people) enter free of charge. |
Free admission: On Tuesdays admission to the permanent exhibition is free of charge.
On Tuesdays only the ticket to the permanent exhibition is free; other services are charged according to the price list. Free admission for, among others, holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card), veterans, tourist guides and persons awarded certain orders. Discounts are also given by the Large Family Card (Karta Dużej Rodziny), the Great Family Card (Karta Wielkiej Rodziny), the Ostrołęka Senior Card and the Ostrołęka Youth Card; discounts cannot be combined. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- 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
The entrance for people with disabilities is on the right side of the main building and leads to a glazed lift serving levels −1, 0 and 1; a second lift serves levels 0–2 in the historic part. Toilets for people with disabilities are in building B. Two parking spaces for people with disabilities are marked in front of the building on the ul. Traugutta side. There are no induction loops and no voice guidance system for blind visitors.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
- Family tours & workshops
The permanent exhibition is intended for adults and children over 12; younger children may visit it with the consent and under the responsibility of a guardian. The museum runs educational activities for kindergarten children, pupils and seniors.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Two parking spaces for people with disabilities in front of the building on the ul. Traugutta side.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Spocznij café, and a bookshop and museum shop by the ticket desks.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming of the exhibitions are permitted without flash, additional lighting or tripod; materials may be used for non-commercial purposes only. |
| Good to know | The exhibition can be visited with a guide or with an audio guide. Group bookings (more than 8 people) are taken by the Public Service Department at +48 510 139 061. The museum also offers a cinema (140 seats), a digital shooting range and educational activities. |
