Ethnographic Museum, Krakow

Ethnographic Museum, Krakow

The Ethnographic Museum of Kraków was founded in 1902 by the Polish Applied Arts Society to showcase folk art. In 1904, the National Museum created an ethnographic department and unveiled a permanent exposition. In 1910, the Ethnographic Museum Society took over the collection from the National Museum. A branch led by the teacher and folklore enthusiast Udziela emerged in 1911, moving to Wawel later. After WWII, it moved locations twice, with the central edifice being the former Town Hall of Kazimierski. The vast collection of 80,000+ artifacts represents Polish culture, art, daily life, and diverse global cultures.

The museum offers a blend of contemporary and traditional exhibits, creating a diverse experience. On the ground floor, visitors are greeted with an indoor representation akin to a skansen, featuring meticulous recreations of 19th-century rural interiors alongside finely crafted scale models. Ascending to the upper level, guests are immersed in the realm of Polish folk culture and rural traditions. This floor showcases an array of elements including folk costumes, agricultural methods, musical instruments, festive traditions, toys, and more. Notably, a captivating highlight here is a monumental bear sculpture cleverly designed as an apiary. Continuing upward, a modest display of folk art titled 'Unattainable Earth,' inspired by the work of Czesław Miłosz, greets visitors. Detailed explanations in English accompany the exhibits, making the experience accessible and enriching.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Krakow. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Ethnographic Museum on Map

Sight Name: Ethnographic Museum
Sight Location: Krakow, Poland (See walking tours in Krakow)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Krakow, Poland

Create Your Own Walk in Krakow

Create Your Own Walk in Krakow

Creating your own self-guided walk in Krakow is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical House Museums Tour

Historical House Museums Tour

Well-preserved historical buildings can often tell the stories of their city more vividly than any history book. Krakow, the old capital and cultural center of Poland, for many years, has been the home of many important Poles. Today, their former residences have been converted into house museums where visitors can learn about their inhabitants and see what life was like in the past.

One such...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

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By far the most iconic of these is the Basilica of Saint Mary. A...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Jewish Heritage Tour in Krakow

Jewish Heritage Tour in Krakow

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During the war, the Nazis separated ethnic Jews from the rest of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Krakow Introduction Walking Tour

Krakow Introduction Walking Tour

A unique entry on the list of the World Heritage Sights, Krakow is a recognized center of the academic, artistic and cultural life of Poland. Established in the 7th century as a tiny hamlet at the top of the Wawel Hill, overlooking the Vistula River, it is one of the country's oldest cities. Over the course of the next fifteen centuries it has evolved into the nation's second-largest...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles