Kurpie Open-Air Museum in Nowogród

The Kurpie Open-Air Museum in Nowogród (NO-vo-groot) is one of the two oldest open-air museums in Poland, founded in 1927. About 25 large wooden buildings and dozens of smaller structures stand on a high bank above the Narew River, and together they tell the story of the Kurpie, a forest people of northeastern Poland with their own dialect and crafts. If you are looking for things to do in the Podlaskie region, this is a rewarding family stop.

Where it is and how to get here

Nowogród lies on the Narew in northeastern Poland, in the Podlaskie region near the border with Mazovia. Warsaw is the largest nearby city, and a car is the practical way to get here, because public transport is limited. Check the museum's directions page for parking.

A short history

The collector Adam Chętnik began gathering Kurpie objects in 1909, but World War I destroyed his collection. In 1919 he and his wife Zofia bought a small plot by the Narew, and on June 19, 1927 the museum opened to the public with more than 2,000 exhibits. In September 1939 everything was destroyed. Only two bee-keeping tree stumps, the gate facing the river and a few iron objects survived.

The museum was rebuilt from 1956, when a farmstead displayed in Łomża was moved to Nowogród. Chętnik, retired by then, led the work as a volunteer. Since June 2022 it has been run by the Podlaskie Voivodeship.

What to see

The route has 34 stops and shows types of Kurpie wooden architecture instead of recreating one village:

• Wooden cottages from villages such as Myszyniec Stary, Kadzidło and Baranów (1805).
• A post windmill from Plewki (1920) and a watermill from Dobry Las.
• An inn from Dylewo, a manor house, a forester's lodge and a fisherman's hut.
• Log hives and bee-keeping stumps, a reminder of traditional forest beekeeping.
• Wayside shrines, a well and viewing gazebos above the river valley.

How long to plan and who it suits

Allow two to three hours. Guided tours start on the hour, and the ticket office closes one hour before the museum does. The museum also runs weekend craft workshops (wicker, embroidery, paper flowers and more). It suits families, photographers and anyone curious about folk culture. Dogs are allowed on a leash. The grounds are hilly, so visitors using wheelchairs should contact the museum about access.

Best time: the St. Roch festival

The best-known event is St. Roch's Sunday, held since 1977. According to the museum, about 4,500 people attended on August 16, 2026. English signage is not confirmed, so you might want to ask about English-language tours.

Hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., weekends and public holidays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Outside the season the museum is closed on weekends and holidays. The season dates are not published, so call before a weekend visit.
• Tickets in PLN: adult 15, reduced 12. Individual guided tour 25 (reduced 20).
• In October 2026, permanent exhibitions are free on Mondays October 12, 19 and 26, without a guide.
• Closed on January 1 and 6, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Monday, November 1 and 11, and December 24-26.
• Contact: ul. Zamkowa 25, 18-414 Nowogród, phone +48 884 544 748, email sekretariat@skansenkurpiowski.pl.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy folk architecture and want something quieter than the usual tourist routes. It is one of the oldest open-air museums in the country.

Nearby

The museum grounds include a replica of the Stach Konwa monument and a bridge view over the Narew.