Museums

Museum of Kraków

The Museum of Kraków is not one building but 17 branches scattered across the city — from the Barbican and Town Hall Tower to Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory. The institution has existed since 31 May 1899, which makes it one of the oldest city museums in Poland. Its main seat is the Pod Krzysztofory palace at 35 Main Market Square.

Krzysztofory: the city from the beginning, without end

The museum moved into the Krzysztofory palace in 1964, and after renovation work running from 2016 to 2021 it opened its new permanent exhibition "Kraków from the beginning, without end" there on 18 December 2021. It tells the city's story from the earliest traces of settlement to the present — a good base camp before heading out to the other branches. The name "Museum of Kraków" has only been official since 2019.

Branches, each with its own narrative

Every address tells a different story: Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory covers Kraków under occupation in 1939–1945, the Rynek Underground leads beneath the paving of the Main Market Square, and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle and Pomorska Street speak of the ghetto and wartime daily life. The Museum of Nowa Huta, with its underground branch, tells of a garden city built by decree, while the Museum of Podgórze recalls the old town beneath Wawel. Add the Old Synagogue in Kazimierz, the Celestat archers' hall or the Rydlówka manor: the list works like a guidebook to Kraków's less obvious corners.

Planning your visit

You cannot cover it all in one day — pick two, at most three branches, and treat the rest as a reason to come back. Opening hours and tickets differ between branches, so check them on the museum's website before setting out. Allow at least an hour and a half for the main exhibition at Krzysztofory.