Rydlówka

About the museum

Rydlówka is a manor house in Bronowice Małe, today part of Kraków, at ul. Tetmajera 28. In 1894 the painter Włodzimierz Tetmajer built it on land bought from his father-in-law, Jacenty Mikołajczyk, and the house became a meeting place for artists and writers of Young Poland. In November 1900 the poet Lucjan Rydel married Jadwiga Mikołajczykówna here; this wedding inspired Stanisław Wyspiański to write the drama “Wesele” (The Wedding).

In 1908–1912 Rydel bought the house, and the architect Józef Pokutyński remodelled it, adding a library and a studio. From then on the building has been called Rydlówka. After Rydel’s death in 1918, in accordance with his will, the estate remained in the family’s hands. In 1969 a museum of Young Poland was opened there, and after a thorough renovation in 2018 Rydlówka was reopened as a branch of the Muzeum Krakowa.

The permanent exhibition refers to the 1900 wedding and to Wyspiański’s drama, which the curators describe as a place of national drama. Visitors will see, among others, the Izba Taneczna (Dance Room) with portraits of the Rydel ancestors, including Wyspiański’s “Portrait of Lucjan Rydel with Primavera”; a reconstruction of the room according to the stage directions of “Wesele”; and the alcove with family memorabilia and photographs of the wedding guests. The exhibition also presents Young Poland, the cultural life of Kraków at the turn of the century and the premiere of “Wesele” on 16 March 1901.

Highlights

• Site of Lucjan Rydel’s 1900 wedding, which inspired Wyspiański’s “Wesele” (The Wedding)
• Izba Taneczna (Dance Room) with “Portrait of Lucjan Rydel with Primavera”
• Reconstruction of the room according to the stage directions of the drama
• Paintings by Tetmajer, Stanisławski and Kamocki
• Accessible exhibition: audio description and tactile graphics

Permanent exhibition

• Rydlówka – The permanent exhibition presents the Rydel house as the site of the 1900 wedding and of Wyspiański’s drama “Wesele”: the Dance Room, a reconstruction of the room according to the stage directions, the alcove with memorabilia, and paintings by artists of Young Poland.

Founded

1969

Operated by

Muzeum Krakowa

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Tuesdays – free admission (free tickets online or at the ticket office while places last).

Discounts also apply with the Large Family Card, the Kraków Family Card, the eMHaKa card and the MY KRAKÓW Tourist Card.

Accessibility

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

The site is partly accessible: a visit by wheelchair requires prior notice, and wheelchair users enter from ul. Władysława Żeleńskiego 37. Level changes are overcome with folding ramps; the building has no lift and no toilet for people with disabilities. There is an induction loop at the ticket office. For blind and partially sighted visitors there are audio descriptions of the space and the most important exhibits, tactile pictures of selected paintings, and tactile aids explaining the era and the drama “Wesele”. The museum welcomes people with disabilities accompanied by assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A family ticket applies. For kindergartens and schools there are sessions including “Co kryje skrzynia? Po co pannie korona?” (What Does the Chest Hide? Why Does the Maiden Need a Crown?) for kindergarten and grades I–VIII, and “Skrzynia jak malowana” (A Painted Chest) for kindergarten and grades I–III.

Getting there & parking

Wheelchair users enter from ul. Władysława Żeleńskiego 37 after prior notice.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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