Żywiecki Park Etnograficzny
Open-air museum in Ślemień on more than 6 hectares, with 19 historic buildings recreating a village of the Żywiec Beskids.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Żywiec Ethnographic Park Museum (Muzeum Żywiecki Park Etnograficzny) in Ślemień is an open-air museum recreating the layout and buildings of a village of the Żywiec Beskids. The concept of the park was developed by the ethnographer Teresa Kurzyk, who is also the director of the institution. The museum is regarded as the youngest open-air museum of its type in Poland and the third such museum in the Silesian Voivodeship.
On an area of more than 6 hectares, 19 historic buildings have been set up so far. When the buildings were moved, every effort was made to keep as much of the original material as possible, so visitors see authentic buildings from different periods. Among them are a school from 1900, a 19th-century granary, a complete peasant farmstead with a house from 1895, a smithy from the early 20th century, the house of a prosperous peasant from 1911, a house from 1901 in the Wallachian style, a herbalist’s cottage, a cottage with carved details in the Alpine-Tyrolean style, a small provincial pharmacy, a water-powered sawmill, a shepherd’s hut and a villa from Skawa.
Inside, the former furnishings have been recreated and exhibitions show the life of the highlanders. The park also has two semi-subterranean cellars, three wells with different ways of drawing water, and roadside crosses and shrines. The museum plans further expansion, including an orangery for the Skawa villa and conservation work on the church from Jasienna.
Highlights
- over 6 hectares of park with 19 historic buildings
- peasant farmstead from 1895 and herbalist’s cottage
- school from 1900, smithy, pharmacy and water-powered sawmill
- shepherd’s hut with the option of barbecuing
- treasure hunt game, workshops and museum lessons
Permanent exhibition
- Zabytkowa zabudowa wsi Beskidu Żywieckiego – Open-air exhibition of 19 relocated buildings with reconstructed interiors, showing the life of the highlanders of the Żywiec region.
- Operated by
- Muzeum Żywiecki Park Etnograficzny w Ślemieniu
- Director
- Teresa Kurzyk
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 23 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 20 zł |
| Groups | –A guided tour costs PLN 100 per group of up to 15 people; for a larger group the fee rises proportionally. |
| Guide service (up to 15 people, up to 1.5 hours) | 100 złBooking by telephone or e-mail. |
| Museum lesson | 35 zł |
| Treasure hunt game “W poszukiwaniu zaginionej złotej księgi” (“In Search of the Lost Golden Book”) (group of about 5 people) | 10 zł |
| Workshops (PLN 25–40 per person, depending on the topic) | 25 złDuration 45–60 minutes. |
| Refreshments | 30 zł |
| Shepherd’s hut with barbecue (per person) | 29 zł |
| Photo session (per hour) | 300 zł |
Prices apply from 1 January 2026. Admission tickets can be bought in addition for educational activities for groups. Participants in workshops and lessons also pay an organisational fee of PLN 5.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Workshops are prepared for children and young people (e.g. painting wooden horses, painting on glass, straw figurines), as well as museum lessons and the treasure hunt game “W poszukiwaniu zaginionej złotej księgi”. Activities take place all year round.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car park for cars and coaches of almost 1,100 m².
The museum is located at ul. Łączna 2a in Ślemień.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The gallery shop sells regional souvenirs, folk handicrafts and drinks; refreshments can be ordered.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Rooms (PLN 150 per hour) and the shepherd’s hut with barbecue (PLN 29 per person) are available for hire; photo sessions are also possible.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | By prior arrangement, visits are made with a guide or individually, with the option of buying a leaflet. A guided tour lasts up to 1.5 hours, and one guide leads a group of up to 15 people. Educational sessions require booking and confirmation at least 10 days before the date; lateness shortens the session. |
