Park Etnograficzny Krakowiaków Zachodnich w Wygiełzowie

About the museum

The idea for an open-air museum in Wygiełzów goes back to a 1965 project for a network of ethnographic parks in Kraków Voivodeship, which envisaged, among other things, a regional open-air museum by the ruins of Lipowiec Castle, whose conservation work was then being completed. Construction began in 1968 with the relocation of the 1804 town house from Chrzanów and the 1798 granary from Kościelec, followed by further buildings, including the impressive 1862 village headman's cottage from Przegina Duchowna.

The park presents the culture of the Western Krakowiaks (Krakowiacy Zachodni), an ethnic group living west of Kraków on both sides of the Vistula. On an area of about five hectares, historic wooden buildings stand at short distances from one another: cottages, barns, granaries, the church from Ryczów, a yard farm (zagroda okołowa) from Staniątki and a manor house from Drogina. Typical of the region are log walls, whitewashed or painted blue, and hipped roofs covered in thatch.

The open-air museum belongs to the Museum of Western Lesser Poland (Muzeum Małopolski Zachodniej), which also runs Lipowiec Castle and the Małopolskie Museum of Firefighting in Alwernia. The park has a sensory garden with a playground adapted for children with disabilities, and cultural events and workshop lessons take place throughout the year.

Highlights

• Historic cottages, barns and granaries of the Western Krakowiaks
• Church from Ryczów and manor house from Drogina
• Yard farm (zagroda okołowa) from Staniątki
• Sensory garden with an inclusive playground
• Location below Lipowiec Castle

Permanent exhibition

• Zabytkowe obiekty Krakowiaków Zachodnich – The outdoor exhibition shows cottages, barns, granaries, the church from Ryczów and the yard farm from Staniątki, with their furnishings, illustrating the culture and rural architecture west of Kraków.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Muzeum Małopolski Zachodniej

Director

Marek Bębenek

Admission & discounts

Free admission is also granted, among others, to museum staff, members of ICOM and ICOMOS and holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card). The museum does not take bookings for individual visits.

Accessibility

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

The grounds cover about 5 ha of hilly terrain and the paths are laid with fine stone, which makes it hard to move independently by wheelchair. The historic buildings are reached through low doors and high thresholds, so entry by wheelchair is possible with an assistant. Ramp rails are fitted in several buildings, and there is a permanent ramp at the side entrance to the Drogina manor house. The ticket office in the Bobrka granary has a ramp, and the welcome area has a tactile plan of the park. The toilet adapted for people with disabilities was in the Drogina manor house, which is now under renovation; a second toilet with a baby changing table stands in front of a wooden footbridge near the amphitheatre. A guided route through three buildings with tactile exploration and audio description is available (booking two weeks in advance, tel. 885 386 913); wheelchairs can also be borrowed and an assistant can be requested.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

A family ticket (PLN 50) and a children's guide to the open-air museum, downloadable to a phone, are available. In the hall of the ticket office building there is a corner for mothers with children, and the toilet by the amphitheatre has a baby changing table. The sensory garden has an inclusive playground. The hilly ground with gravel paths makes it harder to move with a pushchair.

Getting there & parking

The ticket office is 200 m from the car park, in the wooden Spichlerz (granary) from Bobrka. People who need help getting from the stop can order an assistant by notifying the park at least 2 days before arrival.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A souvenir shop operates in the ticket office building; there are places to rest around the park.

Events & venue rental

The price list includes rental of a conference room in the Drogina manor house (currently closed for renovation), non-commercial photo sessions (PLN 100) and a covered campfire or barbecue for school groups (PLN 100).

Plan your visit