Skansen im. Józefa Żaka w Zawoi Markowej
PTTK open-air museum with Babia Góra farmsteads from 1802–1910, a forge and a chapel at Markowe Rówieńki in Zawoja, named after Józef Żak.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea of creating an open-air museum arose at the beginning of the 1970s in the Babia Góra Land branch of the PTTK in Sucha Beskidzka, and its initiator was Józef Żak, the patron of the institution. On 13 July 1973 the branch bought a plot with a house built around 1900. In 1986 a second house from 1906–1910 was moved to the grounds of the open-air museum, and in 1987 the oldest cottage from the settlement of Budzonie, dated 1802–1815.
On the grounds of the open-air museum stand three residential farmsteads, a forge with fittings from the early 20th century, a granary with a cellar partly dug into the ground, and a chapel. The complex is entered on the Lesser Poland register of monuments. By resolution of the general assembly of 12 November 1992 it was named after Józef Żak. Renovation of the buildings was carried out in autumn 2015.
In the individual buildings the interiors are shown with original fittings; an exhibition on mountain tourism and guiding is displayed in Kudzia’s cottage, and ethnographic collections and oleographs in Słopniak’s cottage. Since 2020 visitors have been served by the Babia Góra Cultural Centre in Zawoja, which also organises ethnographic workshops for children and groups.
Highlights
- Oldest cottage from 1802–1815 with a stove without a chimney
- Three Babia Góra farmsteads from 1802–1910
- Forge with fittings from the early 20th century
- Exhibition on mountain tourism and guiding in Kudzia’s cottage
- Ethnographic workshops, including baking podpłomyki flatbread and weaving flax
Permanent exhibitions
- Zagrody babiogórskie i kuźnia – Three farmsteads from 1802–1910 with original fittings, including the oldest cottage with a stove without a chimney, and a forge with fittings from the early 20th century.
- Wystawa o turystyce górskiej w chałupie Kudzi – Exhibition on former mountain tourism and guiding on Babia Góra.
- Founded
- 1973
- Operated by
- PTTK Oddział Ziemi Babiogórskiej w Suchej Beskidzkiej (obsługa: Babiogórskie Centrum Kultury w Zawoi)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 5 zł |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | 7 złfree up to age 2 · Guided ticket price for children and pupils; children up to age 3 enter free of charge. |
| Seniors | 6 złGuided ticket for students, seniors and pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –With the certificate of a person with a disability: young people PLN 5, adults PLN 6 (guided tour). |
| Students & apprentices | 6 zł |
| Groups | –Guided tours start on the hour or when a group of at least 5 people has gathered; groups of younger children should register a week in advance. |
| Guided tour – standard ticket | 9 zł |
| Ticket for holders of the Large Family Card (self-guided visit) | 2 zł |
Prices according to information from March 2023: self-guided visit PLN 5, guided tour PLN 9 (reduced PLN 6, children and pupils PLN 7). Please check the current price list before a visit.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The open-air museum consists of historic cottages and is not adapted for wheelchair users.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Ethnographic workshops are prepared for children (including baking podpłomyki, weaving flax, decorating ceramics and making rag dolls), an educational game about sheep, and wooden toys and an enclosure with animals.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Zawoja Markowa · 200 m
Buses from Sucha Beskidzka or from Kraków (via Maków Podhalański) to the last stop, Zawoja Markowa; from there about 200 m along a paved road to the open-air museum.
By car
Paid parking
Paid unguarded car park with ticket machines.
From the Zawoja-Widły roundabout turn right towards Zawoja Markowa; after about 2 km turn left at the fork and drive about another 2 km to the car park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours start on the hour or after a group of at least 5 people has gathered; information and reservations are provided by the Babia Góra Cultural Centre in Zawoja (tel. +48 33 877 50 66, +48 519 150 571). |
