National Museum in Krakow
Considered to be the oldest facility of this type in Poland, the museum was established at the end of the 19th century. thanks to the initiative of Krakow artists, city councilors and residents. With time, the valuable Czartoryski collection was added to the collections gathered here. The National Museum also organized Matejko's biographical museums, Wyspiański and Mehoffer – artists, who have permanently entered the history of Krakow.
Main Building
al. 3 House 1, tel.6343377, 6343082
The building houses a permanent exhibition devoted to Polish art of the 20th century., presenting the works of painters from the Young Poland period to the present day. Most of Stanisław Wyspiański's best works can be viewed here, Leon Wyczółkowski, Olga Boznańska, Xawery Dunikowski, Jerzy Nowosielski, Władysław Hasior, Tadeusz Kantor and many others.
Two more permanent exhibitions are “Weapons and colors in Poland” and the "Gallery of artistic craftsmanship”.
The museum also hosts numerous and interesting temporary exhibitions. Open Tue, Thu.-Sun. 10.00-15.30, Wed. 10.00-18.00. w nd. free admission, a w pn. closed.
Drive: trams and buses to the Cracovia Hotel.
Czartoryski Museum
ul. st. Jana 19, tel.4225566
Located in a very charming place at the intersection of Pijarska and św. Jana. "Past – future” – this was the motto of Princess Izabela Czartoryska, which in the 18th century. in Puławy initiated the collection and storage of valuable exhibits.
The collection is patriotic and historical. You can see souvenirs of the kings here, queen, generals, uniforms, zhupany, weapon. Great works of European painting are also on display: Italian, German and Flemish. The real pride of the museum is the famous Lady with an Ermine (though some believe, it's a weasel) by Leonardo da Vinci and Landscape with the Good Samaritan by Rembrandt. The collection of medieval Limoges enamels is also noteworthy, porcelain from Meissen and Italian faience.
Open Tue-Fri. 9.00-15.00, sb.-nd. 10.00-15.30.
W nd. admission free, on Mon. closed.
The Czartoryski Museum Arsenal
ul. Piarska 8
Opposite the Czartoryski Art Gallery is the Arsenal, and in it – Ancient Art Gallery. The exhibits include Egyptian and Etruscan sarcophagi, tombstones, Greek vases and Greek sculptures. Antique wooden display cases and wardrobes deserve separate attention.
Open just like the Czartoryski Museum.
Hall
Main market 1/3, tel.4221166
It started with the Cloth Hall. W 1879 r. Henryk Siemiradzki donated his painting Nero's Torches to the city for the planned National Museum. For the needs of the facility, which was yet to come into existence, part of the Cloth Hall was handed over. Over time, the most outstanding works of Polish painting of the 18th and 19th centuries have been collected here., such as. canvases by Marcello Bacciarelli, Homage to Prussia and Kościuszko at Racławice by Jan Matejko, paintings by Jacek Malczewski, Arthur Grottger, Józef Chełmoński. Here you can also admire the famous Shawl of Władysław Podkowiński, which once caused a loud moral scandal.
Open Tue-Wed "Fri-Sun. 10.00-15.30, thurs. 10.00-18.00, w nd. free admission, on Mon. closed.
Jan Matejko's house
The artist's biographical museum ul. Floriańska 41, tel.4225926
This is where the young Matejko was born and raised. Years later, with his wife and children, he returned to his family home and set up a studio there. Soon after Matejko's death, efforts were made to establish a biographical museum of the artist. The Matejko salon was reconstructed, the master's personal mementoes and goldsmith's products were gathered there. On the second floor there are, among others. images, drawings and cardboard boxes for the polychrome at St. Mary's Church. The painter's studios with numerous props and a military collection are located on the third floor.
Open Tue-Thu, sb.-nd. 10.00-15.30, pt. 10.00-18.00., w nd. free admission, on Mon. closed.
The Stanisław Wyspiański Museum
ul. Kanonicza 9, tel.4228337
“Oh, I love Krakow, for I did not suffer any pain from the stones, but from living people” Wyspiański wrote in one of his poems. In life misunderstood and properly underestimated, linked his work with Krakow. After years at home, in which he lived, a museum was arranged for him. Valuable personal mementoes of the artist were collected, his paintings, stained glass designs, polychrome, scenography, and even furniture made according to Wyspiański's idea. An interesting fact is the original Wawel reconstruction project, which would resemble the Greek Acropolis.
Open Tue-Wed "Fri-Sun. 10.00-15.30, thurs. 9.00-17.00; nd. free admission, pn. closed.
Józef Mehoffer's house
ul. Krupnicza 26, tel.4211143
The fates of Mehoffer and Wyspiański were intertwined over the years. At first, they were united by a cordial friendship, later their relationship grew considerably colder. I oto Mehoffer w 1932 r. he bought the tenement house, where Wyspiański was born. The souvenirs collected here are partly a deposit of the Mehoffer family, and partly owned by the National Museum. The bourgeois interiors from the turn of the century have been carefully recreated here, collecting Art Nouveau equipment and decorative items. 'Evenings at Mehoffer's”, that is, chamber concerts of classical music.
Open Tue, Thu.-Sun. 10.00-15.30, Wed. 10.00-18.00.; nd. free admission, a w pn. closed.
Center of Japanese Art and Technology “Planty”
ul. Konopnicka 26, tel.2672703, 2673753
The center was established in 1994 r. on the initiative of director Andrzej Wajda and his wife Krystyna Zachwatowicz. Unique collections of Japanese art gathered at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries have found their place here. by Feliks Jasieński, called Mangha. In addition to the art and technology exhibition, the center has a Japanese tea room and library. The facility promotes Japanese art and culture, organizes shows of artistic craftsmanship, exhibitions, projections. It is worth paying attention to the very modern interiors.
Open Tue-Sun. 10.00-18.00.; wt. free admission, on Mon. closed.
