The Museum of Warsaw is one of the most important cultural landmarks of the capital. Located directly on the Old Town Market Square, inside a complex of restored historic townhouses, the museum itself is a monument – a testament to the turbulent history of the city. Here, visitors can discover the fascinating past of Warsaw through thousands of exhibits, ranging from everyday objects and works of art to mementoes connected with prominent historical figures.
Visiting the Museum of Warsaw is like a journey back in time. Each floor tells a different story – about the city’s topography, the life of its inhabitants, and the cultural and political events that shaped the capital.
Treasures hidden in the Museum of Warsaw
Hoard of silver coins
One of the most fascinating discoveries is the hoard of 1,211 coins, found in a small woollen pouch under the pavement of one of the rooms. Among them were szóstaks, orts, tymfs and kreutzers – Polish, Lithuanian, Prussian, Hungarian and Austrian coins, which were in circulation in the 17th and early 18th century. The oldest one dates back to 1623, while the youngest come from the times of Augustus II the Strong (1707). The total value of the treasure was 333 Polish zlotys – enough to buy 80 barrels of Warsaw beer or 27 gallons of Hungarian wine. This extraordinary find gives us a glimpse into the wallets of Warsaw’s citizens from over 300 years ago.
Jewellery from the period of national mourning (1861)
The collection of patriotic jewellery from the time of mourning the Five Victims – killed during a brutal repression by Russian gendarmes on 27 February 1861 – is a moving testimony of the resistance of Warsaw’s inhabitants against the partitioning powers. Women in the city then wore black dresses and jewellery, which became a symbol of national mourning. The exhibited set includes chains symbolising enslavement, a cross, an anchor and a heart – signs of faith, hope and love. It proves that even fashion and ornaments could become a form of patriotic protest.
Cigarette case of Stefan Starzyński
Among the unique exhibits is the cigarette case of Warsaw’s Mayor Stefan Starzyński – one of the most tragic and symbolic figures in the city’s history. Starzyński, serving as mayor in 1934–1939, became famous as the steadfast defender of the capital during the September Campaign. Unfortunately, he was arrested and murdered by the Germans at the end of 1939. His cigarette case, a gift from historian Kazimierz Konarski, is not only a personal item but also a valuable testimony of the fate of a man who became a symbol of Warsaw’s resistance.
Saucer with Pablo Picasso’s autograph
Another extraordinary item in the collection is a saucer with Pablo Picasso’s autograph. The artist visited Warsaw in September 1948 as a participant of the World Congress of Intellectuals in Defence of Peace in Wrocław. Picasso donated to the Warsaw institution a collection of his ceramic works and drawings, and one of the tangible traces of his visit is precisely this saucer with his autograph and the date 6 September 1948. It is proof that even the greatest global artistic figures left their mark on Warsaw’s history.
18th-century carriage clock
In the 18th century, a carriage clock was a luxurious yet practical accessory of a refined traveller. The silver case of the exhibited timepiece is decorated with an allegorical scene showing Hercules, Mars and above them Athena – the goddess of wisdom. The mechanism of the clock was equipped with a repeater that struck the hours, which was extremely practical during long journeys. It is one of the finest examples of the craftsmanship of Warsaw clockmakers, including Jan Michał Gugenmus, who created timepieces for monarchs.
Sundial by Jan Baranowski
Another fascinating object is the sundial from the 19th century, created by astronomer Jan Baranowski – director of the Warsaw Astronomical Observatory. Its dial allowed one to determine time with precision based on the position of the sun. The sundial was made at Jakub Pik’s Optical Institute, renowned for its precision and quality. It is a fine example of the connection between science and craftsmanship, and a testimony to the high level of Warsaw’s astronomical research in the 19th century.
Viewing terrace on the top floor
A visit to the Museum of Warsaw is not only about the exhibits – on the top floor there is a viewing terrace, offering one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Old Town Market Square, St. John’s Cathedral and the Royal Castle. It is the perfect spot to take memorable photos and feel the atmosphere of Warsaw’s heart.
Opening hours and tickets
The Museum of Warsaw is open at the following hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 20:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 19:00
Opening hours of the temporary exhibition:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 11:00 – 19:00
Thursday: 11:00 – 20:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00
The last admission to the exhibition takes place one hour before closing time in the main building.
The permanent exhibition is extensive. Visiting time may take from several dozen minutes up to a few hours.
Ticket prices:
Individual ticket
regular 25 PLN / reduced 18 PLN – permanent exhibition
regular 20 PLN / reduced 15 PLN – temporary exhibitions
regular 35 PLN / reduced 25 PLN – combined ticket (permanent + temporary exhibitions)
Thursday – free admission to the permanent exhibition, temporary exhibition – 1 PLN.
Up-to-date information is always available on the Museum of Warsaw website.
Museum in the Old Town – what else to see nearby?
When visiting the Museum of Warsaw on the Old Town Market Square, it is worth planning a walk around the immediate area. Just a few steps away you can find:
Royal Castle – the former residence of Polish monarchs,
St. John’s Cathedral – a place of coronations and burials of important historical figures,
Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum – dedicated to the double Nobel Prize winner,
Pharmacy Museum – where you can see how a pharmacy looked in past centuries.
Why is it worth visiting the Museum of Warsaw?
This museum is not only a collection of objects – it is a story about the city and its people. You will find here both everyday items, works of art, patriotic memorabilia, and personal belongings of people who shaped Warsaw’s history. From the tragic story of Stefan Starzyński, through Picasso’s trace, to treasures unearthed from beneath the ground – everyone will find something that will move them.
The Museum of Warsaw is a must-see for anyone who truly wants to understand the capital – its difficult past, its culture, and its unique identity.
📍 Address: Rynek Starego Miasta 28–42, Warsaw
🌐 Website: muzeumwarszawy.pl