Top Art Museums in Krakow, Poland

Kraków, in southern Poland, boasts a rich history of art that spans centuries. Its artistic legacy is deeply intertwined with the nation’s cultural identity.

Krakow museums, galleries, and architectural wonders collectively tell the story of the city’s vibrant artistic evolution, making it a captivating destination for those seeking to explore the dynamic intersection of history and creativity. Krakow, along with the Polish capital, Warsaw, are the two major cultural cities of Poland.

These are the three major museums in Krakow you must visit when you are in the city, along with some of the significant artworks to make sure you take the time to see. Exploring local museums is one of the best things to do in Krakow!

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Article written by Steven from Art History Co

Best art museums in Krakow

Czartoryski Museum

Address: Pijarska 15, 31-015 Kraków, Poland
Hours: 10 am-6 pm each day, except for Monday when the Museum is closed
Price: 60 Zloty for adults; Students between 7 and 26 years old pay 1 Zloty. Tuesdays are free for permanent exhibitions.

The Czartoryski Museum is a renowned cultural institution celebrated for its extensive collection of art and historical artifacts. Founded in the 18th century by Princess Izabela Czartoryska, the museum is housed in the historic Arsenal building.

The museum’s diverse holdings encompass a wide range of artistic and historical works, including paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and decorative arts. Visitors can explore works from various periods of art history, including the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic eras.

The institution has played a significant role in preserving Poland’s cultural heritage and has weathered significant challenges, including the devastation caused during World War II.

The Czartoryski Museum remains a testament to the enduring legacy of Princess Izabela Czartoryska’s vision of preserving and showcasing the cultural richness of Poland.

Highlights of the Czartoryski Museum

The Czartoryski Museum is best known for its collection of international works, which were collected by various members of the Czartoryski family in the 19th century.

Lady with an Ermine

By far, the highlight of the collection (and the most famous painting in Poland) is Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo Da Vinci, which depicts Cecilia Gallerani, a young woman in a sumptuous dress holding an ermine. Painted in the late 15th century, it was purchased in Italy in 1798 by Prince Adam George Czartoryski, the son of Izabela Czartoryski, and brought to Poland shortly thereafter.

Landscape with the Good Samaritan

The religious picture Landscape with the Good Samaritan is a famous painting by Rembrandt. Created in the 1630s, it portrays the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. What is a relatively simple scene, Rembrandt’s mastery of light and shadow, draws attention to the compassionate Samaritan aiding a wounded traveler amidst a richly detailed landscape.

The Family of Sigismund I of Poland

This is a set of ten miniature paintings, each a portrait of a member of Sigismund I the Old, King of Poland’s family. Sigismund I ruled Poland in the first half of the 14th century, and these small portraits, each approximately 20 centimeters high, were painted by Lucas Cranach the Younger and his studio shortly after Sigismund I the Old’s death in 1548.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK)

Address: Lipowa 4, 30-702 Kraków, Poland
Hours: 11 am-7 pm each day, except for Monday when the Museum is closed
Price: 20 Zloty for adults, 10 Zloty for students.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK) is a prominent cultural institution dedicated to the exploration and exhibition of contemporary art. Established in 2011, MOCAK stands out as a dynamic and innovative space that engages with the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary artistic expression.

Situated in a modern building in the city’s industrial district of Zabłocie, MOCAK hosts a diverse collection of contemporary artworks, including paintings, sculptures, installations, multimedia pieces, and conceptual art.

MOCAK’s exhibitions often feature both Polish and international artists, fostering a global perspective on contemporary art trends.

National Museum in Kraków

Address: al. 3 Maja 1, 30-062 Kraków, Poland
Hours: 10 am-6 pm each day, except for Monday when the Museum is closed
Price: 32 Zloty for adults; Students between 7 and 26 years old pay 1 Zloty. Temporary exhibition prices vary. Tuesdays are free for permanent exhibitions.

The National Museum in Kraków is a comprehensive cultural institution in Poland, encompassing a range of collections that span art, history, and material culture. Established in 1879, the museum has grown to become one of the country’s most significant repositories of artistic and historical heritage.

The museum is housed in several locations across Kraków, with the main building located near Błonia Park and one of the most important branches in the historic Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the Main Market Square. Its vast and diverse collections include paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, artifacts from various historical periods, and archaeological finds. Notable works in the collection include pieces by Polish and European artists, spanning from the medieval period to contemporary art.

The National Museum in Kraków is celebrated for its rich holdings of Polish art, featuring works by renowned painters such as Jan Matejko, Stanisław Wyspiański, and Józef Mehoffer. The museum’s commitment to preserving and showcasing Poland’s cultural and historical legacy is evident in its extensive exhibitions, which cover a broad spectrum of topics, including medieval art, applied arts, and contemporary Polish art.

In addition to its permanent collections, the National Museum hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events. With its multifaceted approach, the museum serves as a key cultural institution in Kraków, playing a vital role in promoting a deeper understanding of Poland’s artistic, historical, and cultural identity.

Highlights of the National Museum in Kraków

Frenzy of Exultations

Frenzy of Exultations by Władysław Podkowiński, painted in 1894, is a groundbreaking work of Polish symbolism. The large-scale work depicts a mesmerizing, otherworldly scene of a nude woman with bright red hair riding a black horse in a dreamlike scene.

Girl with Chrysanthemums

Girl with Chrysanthemums by Olga Boznańska, created in 1894, is an Impressionist-style portrait of a young girl holding a bunch of white chrysanthemums. Boznańska was a prominent Polish painter and one of a small number of famed female artists of her time. While her paintings were generally in the Impressionist style, she did not consider herself to be a part of the movement.

Jan Matejko House

Address: Floriańska 41, 31-019 Kraków, Poland
Hours: 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays, 10 am-4 pm Wednesday through Sunday. The museum is closed on Monday.
Price: 18 Zloty for Adults, 1 Zloty for Students. The museum is free on Tuesdays.

The Jan Matejko House in Kraków is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the renowned Polish painter Jan Matejko. This museum is the artist’s former residence and provides a unique insight into his personal and creative world.

Jan Matejko was a key figure in Polish historical painting during the 19th century. His masterpiece painting Stańczyk is in the National Museum, Warsaw (Which you should definitely go to after visiting Krakow). This house, where Matejko lived and worked, has been preserved as a museum since 1951. The museum showcases Matejko’s studio, living quarters, and a significant collection of his paintings, drawings, and personal belongings.

Visitors to the Jan Matejko House can explore the artist’s workspace, gaining a firsthand look at the tools, materials, and inspirations that fueled Matejko’s artistic endeavors. The museum also provides context for Matejko’s historical paintings, which often depicted significant events from Polish history, through informative exhibits and displays.

While Jan Matejko’s masterpiece paintings aren’t held here, throughout the museum are smaller and lesser-known paintings, as well as a lot of the original drawings and draft paintings for many of his masterworks, which are scattered around the globe, and in particular, take their rightful place in the Nation Museums of Krakow and Warsaw.

Final thoughts on Krakow museums

Visiting museums in Kraków offers a rich and diverse cultural experience. The city’s museums showcase a wealth of historical and artistic treasures. Kraków’s museums provide immersive insights into Polish history, art, and culture, offering a journey through the medieval, Renaissance, and modern periods. Each museum contributes to a deeper understanding of Kraków’s multifaceted cultural identity.

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About the author: Steven writes at Art History Co, a website dedicated to the famous and mostly not-so-famous artists and artwork across the various periods of Art History.

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Further reading

I published many articles about Poland that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 37 Amazing Things to Do in Krakow, Poland
• 20 Great Places to Visit As Day Trips from Warsaw, Poland
• Visiting Auschwitz – How to Plan the Auschwitz Tour
• 17 Amazing Things to Do in Lublin, Poland
• The Complete Guide to Visiting Slownski National Park, Poland
• Visit Grudziadz – One of the Hidden Gems of Poland
• 19 Amazing Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland
• Visit Sandomierz, Poland – One of the Prettiest Towns in the Country
• Visiting Malbork Castle, Poland – the Largest Castle in the World
• 25 Amazing Things to do in Wroclaw, Poland
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

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