Bishop Erazm Ciolek Palace

The Bishop Erazm Ciolek Palace is the newest branch of the National Museum in Cracow, and its two permanent galleries are the Art of Old Poland of the 12th-18th Centuries and the Orthodox Art of the Old Polish Republic. Bishop of Plock Erazm Ciolek (ca 1474-1522), a Cracovian canon, was secretary to King Alexander the Jagiellon, a skilful diplomat, patron of artists, and a bibliophile. After a colourful history, the palace was handed over to the National Museum in 1996, and from 1999 to 2006 it was completely renovated, to open in October 2007 as the newest branch of the museum.

Very impressive collection of Orthodox icons and Old Polish art. A lot of money clearly spent on getting it right, and it has paid off.