European Fairy Tale Centre named after Koziołek Matołek in Pacanów

The European Fairy Tale Centre in Pacanów (roughly "pa-TSAH-noof") is a children's culture center built around Koziołek Matołek, the little goat who stars in one of Poland's best-loved picture books. In the 1932 story by Kornel Makuszyński, the goat travels the world looking for Pacanów, the town where "they shoe goats." The real town embraced the joke, and since 2010 it has welcomed families to a building that looks like giant sandcastles. Note that some exhibits are closed for renovation in fall 2026.

Where it is and how to get there

Pacanów is a small town in the Świętokrzyskie region of southern Poland, at the junction of national roads 73 and 79, north-east of Kraków. A car is by far the easiest option; public transport to Pacanów is limited. The center has no parking lot of its own, but there are two paid lots nearby, and you can also park by the market square or the Basilica of St. Martin. The local currency is the Polish złoty (PLN).

Who is Koziołek Matołek?

Koziołek Matołek ("Silly Billy the Goat" is one common rendering) was created by writer Kornel Makuszyński and illustrator Marian Walentynowicz in 1932. Its rhyming four-line verses, each paired with a picture, made it a forerunner of Polish comics, and generations of Polish children grew up with it. That makes Pacanów a nostalgic stop for Polish families and a quirky one for foreign visitors.

What's inside

The center officially opened on February 24, 2010, and drew more than 175,000 visitors in 2014. Its attractions include:

• Fairy Tale World (Bajkowy Świat), an interactive walk-through exhibit of about one hour;
• Soria Moria Land, a separate 50-minute route;
• the Little Theater (about 30-minute shows) and the Szkatułka cinema;
• a children's library, bookstore and gift shop.

Important (as of October 2026): the official website says Fairy Tale World, Soria Moria Land and the Szkatułka cinema are temporarily unavailable due to renovation work. The outdoor Fairy Tale Academy educational park remains open. Check the website before you travel.

Fairy Tale Academy park

The Fairy Tale Academy (Akademia Bajki) is an educational play park next to the main building. Tickets are valid all day; a ropes course and a salt cave cost extra. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and dogs are not allowed (assistance dogs excepted). Signage and shows are in Polish.

Opening hours and tickets

As of October 2026, the center is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (April 1–October 31) and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (November 1–March 31); closed Mondays. The Fairy Tale Academy is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. from April to September and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. from October to March.

• Fairy Tale Academy, October–March: 7 PLN standard, 5 PLN reduced
• Fairy Tale Academy, April–September: 20 PLN standard, 17 PLN reduced, 70 PLN family
• Little Theater show: 20 PLN; children under 3: 1 PLN

Buy online through the center's ticketing site or at the desk, and arrive 5–10 minutes before timed entries, as latecomers are not admitted.

Is it worth visiting?

For families with children aged roughly 3 to 10, yes, especially once the indoor exhibits reopen. Most of the building is step-free, with accessible restrooms and induction loops; Fairy Tale World itself has stairs. Address: Kornela Makuszyńskiego 1, 28-133 Pacanów; phone +48 41 376 50 79.