The Museum of the Origins of the Polish State in Gniezno surprises its visitors from the very beginning. Although its name indicates that the museum is dedicated to truly distant times, from over a thousand years ago, the entire exhibition and the way the story is told are modern through and through and highly engrossing.
The museum features both permanent as well as temporary exhibitions. The most important one, “The Origins of the Polish State”, covers the reign of the first rulers from the Piast dynasty. A rich collection of artifacts and their stories vividly illustrate the history of these early centuries. On the museum’s second floor, you can admire paintings depicting the history of the Piasts as well as one of the largest collections of ceramic tiles in Europe. In other rooms, you can find Romanesque art and the “Gniezno. From Here to the Past” exhibition, which presents the history of the city.
The museum is located on the shore of Lake Jelonek, opposite the cathedral on the other side of the lake. You can easily reach it via pleasant promenade along the shore. Moreover, there’s a vast parking lot and bicycle racks in front of the entrance. You’d better plan to spend at least an hour or two at the museum, if you want to fully experience all the exhibits. Don’t forget to visit the museum’s shop, which offers excellent souvenirs and a wide selection of great books.
