CULTURE » MUSEUMS
Wawel
Mo 9.30 - 12.00, Tues, Fri 9.30-16.00, Wed, Thurs, Sat 9.30-15, Sun 10.00-15.00
The Wawel Collections are divided into several different exhibitions:
Royal Chambers
Not much remains from original times, but the interiors and architecture themselves are interesting. The two upper floors of the Wawel castle have been restored to their original Renaissance and early-Baroque style. The real jewel of this exhibition are the remaining 136 of the original 356 Flanders tapestries dating from the 16th century, said to be Wawel's most precious collection. Probably the largest such collection in Europe and worth visiting.
The Crown Treasury
Much of the original treasure was sold off or stolen by the time of the partition, the crown itself was melted down and its jewels sold off by the Prussians in 1795. What remains, including rings, crosses, chalices and clocks is displayed here. The most important exhibit is the "Szczerbiec" or Jagged Sword, used in all Royal coronations from 1320.
The Armoury
A collection of serious and fearsome weaponry including swords and spears from the15th-17th centuries. Also includes replicas of banners seized from the Teutonic Knights during the Battle of Grunwald of 1410.
Wawel Cathedral
The spiritual sanctuary of Poland, national monument, and host of most Royal coronations, dethronements and funerals. It is also the final resting place of most Polish monarchs as well as national writers (Mickiewicz, Slowacki) and heroes (Pilsudski). The Cathedral contains works of art and craft of the highest quality: The Sigismund Chapel - an example of some of the finest Renaissance artwork north of the Alps, the Holy Cross Chapel with its unique Byzantine frescoes and works by Veit Stoss, Bartholomeo Berecci, Gianmaria Padovano, Santi Gucci and Bertel Thorvaldsen. The Sigismund Tower contains the magnificent Sigismund Bell, the largest in Poland. The tower also offers superb panoramic views of the city. A visit to the cathedral is an absolute must during your stay in Cracow.
Stanislaw Wyspianski's Museum
Pl. Szczepański 11
Tues, Wed, Sat 10.00 - 19.00, Thurs, Fri 10.00 - 16.00, Sun 10.00 - 15.00,
This outstanding portraitist and lanscapes' painter, representant of Polish symbolism and expressionism, had been recognised as progenitor of national school of stage designing, typography and art craft. New exhibition in Museum of Stanislaw Wyspianski presents, in chronological order, his self-portraits, his friends' portraits and works connected with theatre: costumes, stage designing elements, projects, paintings and drawings, autor's drama printings, caricatures, portraits and posters- the most important areas of Wyspianski's creation.
Gallery of Polish Art, 19th century
Exhibition moved temporary to Niepolomice Castle.
A branch of Cracow's National Museum, it is worth a visit for its 19th century masterpieces such as Jan Matejko's the Homage of Prussia and Kościuszko at Racławice, Farewell of an Insurrectionist and Welcome by Artur Grottger, Christmas Eve in Siberia by Jacek Malczewski as well as works by Malczewski, Gierymski and Chełmonski. These examples of national iconography are significantly better appreciated when the historical context is somewhat known, so ask your guide about the historical reference points.
Gallery of Polish Art, 20th century
al. 3 Maja 1 (just beyond the Cracovia hotel)
Temporary closed.
A further section of Cracow's National Museum housing permanent collections of Polish painting and sculpture from 1890 onwards. Rather large and empty, it does not always exhibit what is best of Cracow's artistic heritage. However, the Młoda Polska (Young Poland) movement is well represented here as well as other famous Polish artists such as Mehoffer, Witkiewicz and Slewiński. There are also several of Wyspiański's window designs for Wawel Cathedral. It is worth checking the listings as it is often the host of some major roving exhibitions.
Czartoryski Museum
Czartoryski Palace, Św. Jana 19, Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun 10.00-15.30, Wed, Fri 10.00-18.00
This is Poland's oldest museum, said to hold Cracow's finest art collection ranging from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Compiled by the Czartoryski family of legendary art collectors, the collection was moved to Cracow after the confiscation of the family estate after the 1831 Insurrection, in which the family were implicated. The collection has a wide range of works including ancient art, oriental armour, artistic handicrafts and old European paintings. Its most valuable possession is Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine and also contains Rembrandt's Landscape with the Good Samaritan and works by Durer and David.
Collegium Maius
ul. Jagiellońska 15; Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 10.00-14.20, Sat 10.00-13.20
The University Museum and Poland's oldest surviving University building. The museum houses rare astronomic instruments from the 16th century thought to be used by Nicolaus Copernicus. The prize exhibit here is the copper Jagiellonian globe from around 1510, considered the oldest existing globe showing America, marked as "newly discovered lands". The Aula - the grand principal assembly hall is interesting for its Renaissance ceiling and many portraits of benefactors, professors and kings. Visits with guide only.
Historical Museum of Cracow
Krzysztofory Palace, Main Square 35, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun 10.00-17.30,
Exhibits include drawings, armour, medals, old clocks, maps and paintings related to Cracow's history. It also exhibits the Lajkonik costume and Szopki (immaculately detailed and elaborate models of buildings made for competition each year)
Museum of the Struggle and Martyrdom of the Polish nation or "Silesian House" (Dom Slaski)
ul. Pomorska 2 Tues,Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sa, Sun 10.00 - 17.30
An exhibition in the former headquarters of the Gestapo. Documents and photographs detailing the resistance movement in Cracow from 1939-1945 under Nazi occupation.
The Old Synagogue
ul. Szeroka 24, Mo 10.00 - 14.00 Tues - Sun 10.00 - 17.00
Museum of History and Culture of the Cracow Jewry housed in Poland's earliest surviving Jewish religious building. Restored in the Renaissance style after being destroyed by fire as was much of the surrounding area in the 16th century. Contains art, books, manuscripts and religious artifacts relating to Jewish culture and tradition, re-compiled after a pretty thorough Nazi destruction. Includes interesting photographs depicting Jewish martyrdom during WWII.
Museum of National Remembrance, Pharmacy under the Eagle
pl. Bohaterów Getta 13, Mo 10.00 - 14.00 Tuers, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat 9.30 - 17.00
Exhibits a small but poignant collection of old photographs from the Jewish ghetto in Podgórze and the concentration camp in Płaszów. Located in the "Pharmacy under the eagle" of Tadeusz Pankiewicz, the only Pole not of Jewish descent allowed to remain within the ghetto until its liquidation. The pharmacy was open 24 hours a day providing medical help and acting as a meeting place for the Jewish intelligentsia. He later published his memoirs, translated into several languages, of his eye-witness accounts of the arrests, purges, round-ups, deportations and killing of the Jews.
Saint Vladimir - Foundation
ul. Kanonicza 15, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun 12.00-16.00
Icons from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Creates the impression of an Orthodox Chapel, designed by the modern icon painter - Jerzy Nowosielski. 10min from Wawel. Keys to chapel in Ukranian cafe.
