Ośrodek Chopinowski w Szafarni

About the museum

Szafarnia was the former estate of the Dziewanowski family, where the young Fryderyk Chopin spent his holidays in 1824 and 1825. In his letters and in the holiday newspaper “Kurier Szafarski” he described the daily life of the manor, and his stay in the Dobrzyń Land influenced his interest in Polish folklore. In 1949, on the hundredth anniversary of the composer’s death, the first Chopin concert was held here and an Izba Pamięci (Memorial Room) was opened.

In the following decades the institution changed its name and functions. From 1970 to 1976 the building was closed to visitors, and a fire in 1979 destroyed part of the manor house and many exhibits. After renovation in 1980–1988 the institution was officially reopened, and since 2004 it has operated as the Ośrodek Chopinowski (Chopin Centre), subordinate to the local government of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The Centre occupies the entire nineteenth-century palace in eclectic style and is surrounded by a historic park of about 3 hectares, in which a pond is shaped like a piano. The building houses a concert hall with a Steinway & Sons piano, a museum room, a Chopin library and practice rooms, and an artists’ café in the cellars. The Centre organises concerts, masterclasses and competitions for children and young people, including an international piano competition, as well as broadcasts and educational activities.

Highlights

• museum room devoted to the young Chopin’s stay in Szafarnia
• concerts in the hall with a Steinway & Sons piano
• historic park with a pond shaped like a piano
• audio guide and music programmes for groups
• artists’ café in the palace cellars

Permanent exhibition

• Sala muzealna – Museum room in the palace devoted to the stay of the young Fryderyk Chopin in Szafarnia in 1824 and 1825.

Founded

1949

Operated by

Samorząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego (instytucja kultury)

Admission & discounts

Entry to the park is free of charge.

Accessibility

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

According to the accessibility statement, the building is not fully accessible because the lift is out of order, which makes sightseeing difficult for people with mobility impairments. A voice guide is available for visually impaired visitors. The building has no induction loop or other hearing support systems, and the Centre does not employ a sign language interpreter.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Centre runs educational activities and music workshops for children, broadcasts for school groups and competitions for pupils. Time can be spent in the park without a ticket.

Getting there & parking

The Centre is in Szafarnia in the Drwęca outwash valley (pradolina), about 7 km from Golub-Dobrzyń, on the Polish section of the Way of St James (Szlak św. Jakuba).

Amenities & dining

• Café

An artists’ café operates in the historic cellars of the palace.

Events & venue rental

• Corporate events

The Centre has a conference and concert hall and offers services for companies.

Plan your visit