Museum of Blacksmithing and Locksmithing in Hajnówka

In Hajnówka, on the edge of the Białowieża Forest, you can do more than look at an old smithy – you can swing a hammer at red-hot iron yourself. The private Museum of Blacksmithing and Locksmithing at ul. Lipowa 1 is run by Stanisław Mierzwiński, whom locals call "the last of the Hajnówka blacksmith family". At its heart is the family forge, founded in 1927 and still in use.

History: a forge that became a museum

The museum opened on 25 July 2003 on Stanisław Mierzwiński's initiative. He wanted to keep the family tradition alive and show what the work of a village blacksmith – once one of the most respected crafts – really involved. Most of the collection was handed down by his grandparents and great-grandparents, and some pieces are on loan from other museums. Expert support comes from the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw and the Museum of Ancient Metallurgy in Pruszków, and the museum is a member of the Świętokrzyskie Industrial Heritage association.

What to see

The collection numbers 586 objects. Look out for:

• blacksmith's tools and products, as well as farm machinery and equipment,
• equipment for smelting iron from bog ore and models of furnaces,
• slag from prehistoric smelting sites – evidence of ancient ironworking in the region,
• horseshoes for different seasons and unusual horse boots for walking on marshy ground,
• in the yard, a miniature bloomery furnace, the kind of ancient smelting furnace (called a dymarka in Polish) where you can follow the whole iron-making process.

Behind the museum is a working forge where the owner gives forging demonstrations and guides visitors, telling the story of the craft. School groups can join blacksmithing history lessons and workshops.

Tripto tip

Allow about an hour for a visit with the owner's stories. Forging demonstrations are arranged in advance, so call before you go: +48 85 682 25 64 or +48 601 073 775. According to the Hajnówka town website, the museum is open Mon–Sat 9:00–18:00 and Sun 10:00–18:00, and a ticket costs PLN 4 – but with a privately run museum a phone call is still the surest way to find the owner in. A visit combines easily with a trip into the Białowieża Forest and a walk around Hajnówka.