Polish History Museum

The Museum of Polish History was established by the Polish Ministry for Culture and National Heritage on May 2, 2006.

The Museum dedicates its collections and scholarship to inspiring a broader understanding of Polish history. Our mission is to create opportunities for learning, stimulate imagination, and present challenging ideas about our country’s past.

The Museum focuses on the most significant themes in the history of Poland  - state and nation – with special emphasis on the idea of freedom. It covers a wide range of interests and explores the defining episodes in Polish history: the dynamics of the gentry republic, the evolution of the parliamentary system, the struggle for independence and the history of civic movements starting from the 15th century up to “Solidarity”. It also aims at building a greater awareness of interconnectedness of Polish history with the history of neighboring nations.

Since its establishment in 2006, the Museum has got involved in joint exhibitions with variety of partners and has developed a wide array of educational and research projects.

The museum does not have its permanent site yet. In 2009, an International Architectural Competition for a permanent site for the Museum drew interest from 324 firms around the world. The winning proposal was from the architectural firm Paczowski et Fritsch in Luxemburg. The new building will be located in Warsaw, on a site near Ujazdowski Castle and will feature some 20,000 square meters (over 215,000 square feet). The Museum will be the most modern institution of its kind in Poland.

The permanent exhibition will explore major themes in Polish history and culture, from the tenth century to the present day. The presentations will be narrative in form and will immerse visitors in the sights, sounds and sensations typical for various eras. With the support of latest multimedia technologies it will be a new way of experiencing history.