Museums
National Museum | © Janna Stoga
ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM Like many of the best museums in Poland, Wrocław’s Archaeological Museum is located inside a building that’s a museum in itself. In this instance the city’s former 15th-century Arsenal plays host to the usual suspects found lurking in most museums of its type. There are English captions now for many exhibits, while others, such as the gargoyles and the reconstructed thatched house fascinate without the need to know more. With four free permanent exhibits - Stone Age and early Bronze Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval Silesia, displays include everyday objects from these times such as weapons, ornaments and tools; note that temporary exhibits sometimes require an additional paid ticket. In the same building you’ll also find the Military Museum.QE‑4, ul. Cieszyńskiego 9, tel. (+48) 71 347 16 96, www.mmw.pl. Open 10:0017:00; Sun 10:00-18:00. Closed Mon, Tue. Admission free for permanent exhibitions; temporary exhibits 15/10zł. U ARCHITECTURE MUSEUM A unique exhibition inside the gorgeous 16th-century former Bernadine monastery, the city’s architecture museum is more of a record of all that was lost in the city during WWII than a true museum of architecture. Permanent displays include beautiful examples of stained glass from the 12th century through to some spectacular Art Nouveau pieces, a breathtaking collection of tiled ceramic stoves, intricate door handles, Turkish floor tiles, and a selection of truly ghastly gargoyles. There’s a large model of the city as it was 44
in 1740, which clearly shows its status as a fortress surrounded by water, and the occasional temporary exhibit to keep the eyes peeled for. Opening hours subject to change.QH‑5, ul. Bernardyńska 5, tel. (+48) 71 344 82 78, www.ma.wroc.pl. Open 10:00-17:00; Thu, Fri 12:00-19:00; Sat, Sun 10:00-17:00. Closed Mon. Admission 20/14zł, groups over 10 people 10zł per person. Wed free. U DEPOT HISTORY CENTRE This old bus depot has been brilliantly transformed into a two-floor museum telling the history of Wrocław after WWII. Opened in September 2016, the large open space has been cleverly refitted with intimate museum displays that recreate historical spaces and settings to lead the viewer through major moments in Poland’s postwar history. The rebuilding and repopulating of Wrocław is well-covered, as is the country’s reckoning with communism, martial law, and the story of the Solidarity movement. The modern multimedia displays are extremely informative in English and Polish, and in addition to the permanent exhibit (titled ‘Wrocław 1945-2016’), there are also changing temporary exhibits, an outdoor gallery, and a play area for kids; reserve at least 90mins for the exhibits. Located well southwest of the Old Town, it’s only appropriate that you should take public transportation here (ideally tram 5 or 11 from ‘Dworzec Głowny’ or tram 4 from ‘Świdnicka,’ getting off at ‘Bzowa (Centrum Zajezdnia)’); journey takes around 20mins. Qul. Grabiszyńska 184, tel. (+48) 71 715 96 02, www.zajezdnia.org. Open 09:00-17:00; Thu 10:00-17:00; Fri, Sat, Sun 10:00-18:00. Closed Mon. Admission 10/5zł. U
