Museums

Museum of the 600th Anniversary of Jasna Góra

The Museum of the 600th Anniversary of Jasna Góra has operated since 1982 in the monastery buildings of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, marking 600 years of the Pauline presence on the hill — the order was brought here on 22 June 1382 from the monastery of St Lawrence near Buda. It is the best starting point for learning the history of Poland's most important sanctuary, granted the status of a Historic Monument in 1994.

What to see

The heart of the collection is the Mensa Mariana, the board that protects the reverse of the Miraculous Image, covered with scenes from its history. Alongside it are hermit paintings from the 17th-century Jasna Góra painting workshop, gold and silver votive offerings from the 17th to 20th centuries, robes donated to the Mother of God for jubilees, and instruments of the Jasna Góra band active since the 16th century. A canvas showing the translation of the relics of St Paul the First Hermit from Venice to Buda recalls the beginnings of the Pauline order.

Wałęsa's pen

Among the exhibits is an object far removed from sacred art: the enormous pen of Lech Wałęsa, with which he signed the August Agreements of 1980. The gift links the history of the monastery with contemporary Polish history and impresses most visitors.

Practical information

The entrance is at 2 Kordeckiego street. The museum is open from March to October, 9.00–17.00, and from November to February, 9.00–16.00; admission is by free-will donation. It is worth combining the visit with the basilica and the chapel of the Mother of God, and the monastery interiors call for an unhurried pace.