Museum of Opole Silesia

The Museum of Opole Silesia (Muzeum Śląska Opolskiego) is the main museum of the Opole region and one of the oldest in Silesia, founded in 1900. It occupies a handsome Baroque former Jesuit college on Mały Rynek (the "Small Market Square"), a few minutes' walk from the Town Hall. Inside you will find the region's story from prehistory to the 20th century and a strong collection of 19th- and 20th-century Polish painting – a great choice for a rainy day in Opole.

History

The museum began in 1900 as the municipal museum of Oppeln, as Opole was then called under Prussian rule. In 1932 it became a regional museum and moved into the former Jesuit college, where the coats of arms of the Proskowsky and Lobkowitz families still decorate the facade. A neighboring Neoclassical house from 1817–1818 was added in 1980, and a gallery opened in 1999 in an early 19th-century former inn on Ozimska Street.

What to see

• Prehistory of the Opole region – archaeology from the Stone Age to the early Middle Ages, including finds from the early medieval stronghold on Ostrówek island, Bronze Age hoards and a 4th-century dugout boat.
• Polish painting of the 19th and 20th centuries – works by Józef Chełmoński, Maksymilian Gierymski, Juliusz Kossak, Julian Fałat and Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz (Witkacy), among others.
• Pharmacy exhibition and Tułowice porcelain from a local factory.
• The Tenement House at św. Wojciecha 9 – five apartments furnished in styles from 1890 to 1965, shown on the hour.
• The Gallery at Ozimska 10 – including work by the colorist Jan Cybis, born in the Opole region.

In autumn 2026 temporary shows cover Silesian faience from Prószków and Glinica and, from October 22, 2026, a Bronze/Iron Age cemetery excavated in Opole-Groszowice.

Opening hours and tickets

Main building, as of October 2026:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (permanent exhibitions free)
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Sunday: noon–5:00 p.m.
• Closed Mondays and on the last Sunday of every month.

Last entry is 15 minutes before closing. A ticket to the main building and the Gallery costs 15 PLN (10 PLN reduced); an audio guide is 10 PLN. The Tenement House costs 10/6 PLN, with tickets sold at the main desk. Tickets can also be bought online. Guided tours in a foreign language can be booked for groups (150 PLN per group). Allow 1.5–2 hours.

Getting there

The entrance is on Mały Rynek, next to the steps up to the "Na Górce" church, about 200 meters from the main square and 15 minutes on foot from Opole Główne station. Opole is roughly an hour from Wrocław by train or car. Nearby: University Hill, the Upper Castle tower, the Town Hall and the cathedral.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes – especially for the painting gallery and for context on Upper Silesia's layered Polish, Bohemian, Habsburg and Prussian-German history before you explore the rest of the region.