Pałac Biskupa Erazma Ciołka

About the museum

The palace was built in 1501–1503 for Erazm Ciołek, Bishop of Płock, secretary to King Alexander Jagiellon, diplomat, humanist and patron of the arts. The architecture shows traditional Gothic features, such as the pillars in the entrance hall, and influences of the Italian Renaissance, especially in the main portal. At the beginning of the 16th century, next to the bishop's residence, the printing house of Florian Ungler operated here, and in the 1520s the palace was extended and the Tomicki Hall was furnished.

In the first half of the 18th century the interiors were thoroughly renovated and decorated with frescoes; in 1805 the building passed to the Austrian government, housed the police and a prison, and later various state offices. In 1996 it was handed over to the National Museum in Kraków, and from 1999 to 2006 a general renovation was carried out.

In 2007 two permanent galleries opened here: on the first floor the exhibition “Sztuka Dawnej Polski. XII–XVIII wiek” (“Art of Old Poland, 12th–18th Century”) with medieval, Renaissance and Baroque works, and on the ground floor “Sztuka Cerkiewna dawnej Rzeczypospolitej” (“Church Art of the Former Commonwealth”). The exhibition “Kraków na wyciągnięcie ręki” (“Kraków within Reach”) is also shown, and the palace's collections include about 800 pieces of architectural sculpture from Poland.

Highlights

• Palace from 1501–1503 with Gothic and Renaissance features
• Gallery “Sztuka Dawnej Polski. XII–XVIII wiek”
• Gallery of Orthodox church art of the former Commonwealth, with icons
• About 800 pieces of architectural sculpture, including from the Gniezno Cathedral and St Mary's Church (Kościół Mariacki)
• Exhibition “Kraków na wyciągnięcie ręki” (“Kraków within Reach”)

Permanent exhibitions

• Sztuka Dawnej Polski. XII–XVIII wiek – Gallery on the first floor with works of Polish medieval, Renaissance and Baroque art.
• Sztuka Cerkiewna dawnej Rzeczypospolitej – Icons and other works of Orthodox church art from the territories of the former Commonwealth.
• Kraków na wyciągnięcie ręki w MNK Ciołek – Exhibition accessible to visitors on level −1 of the branch.

Operated by

Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Tuesday – free admission to the permanent exhibitions (individual visitors take a ticket at the cash desk).

A ticket bought for the Main Building, the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) or the Czartoryski Museum also admits to the other branches of the National Museum in Kraków and is valid for 3 months. An annual pass for all branches except the Czartoryski Museum is also on sale.

Accessibility

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

The entrance has no threshold, and a lift leads to the first floor; next to the lift there is an accessible toilet. The building also has a stairlift and portable platforms and rails for negotiating a few steps to the side rooms. Access to the Gallery of Church Art, the cash desk and information, and the Gallery of Old Polish Art is difficult: steps are negotiated with the help of museum staff on aluminium rails. The exhibition “Kraków na wyciągnięcie ręki” and the educational rooms on level −1 are accessible to wheelchair users only by stairlift, with staff assistance. The branch has audio description, a sensory basket, a quiet zone and a defibrillator.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

The branch has a baby-changing table; a family ticket for PLN 36 applies.

Getting there & parking

The palace stands on Kanoniczna Street, on the route between the Main Market Square and Wawel.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

The cloakroom is compulsory and free of charge (it does not accept suitcases).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit