Housed in a massive inter-war building, the National Museum in Warsaw has a vast collection containing more than 800,000 works. Ancient artifacts, sculptures, prints, photographs and decorative design pieces all feature in the collection. Find examples of medieval art, European Old Masters, portraiture from Poland and surrounding countries, as well as far-flung works, such as Nubian paintings.
Step inside the museum and explore the many galleries. The interior is slick and modern, with LED lamps ensuring the paintings are well-lit. Read English-language information panels to find out more about the various works and enjoy interactive displays.
Browse the European galleries and trace the development of Polish art throughout the centuries. Among the most famous and popular works displayed here is Jan Matejko’s 1878 painting Battle of Grunwald. This huge piece measures 168 inches (426 centimetres) in height and 389 inches (987 centimetres) in length. A cherished work in Poland, it was a prime target for the Nazis during World War II and one member of the Polish Underground is said to have been killed for refusing to reveal its location to the Germans. It is one of several prized paintings reclaimed by the museum after being looted during the war.
Rest in the courtyard, a pleasant space named after the museum’s wartime director Professor Stanislaw Lorentz. Lorentz was credited with organising a secret wartime operation that ensured the safety of many of the pieces in the collection. Stop for some coffee and cake in the café next to the tranquil pond or relax in the park behind the building, which was once the site of royal gardens.
The National Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with free entrance to the permanent exhibitions on Tuesdays. Galleries are occasionally closed for renovations, so check ahead before you visit. To get here, ride the tram to the National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe) stop.
