National Museum

The rather formidable looking National Museum building looks like the kind of place where state secrets are kept, the sort of set-up where you'd need a hundred passwords to get through the doors. But don't be put off by first impressions. The main body of the National Museum hosts some first rate shows of Polish and international art, and there are some gems in the permanent collection too. The newly renovated upper gallery draws the curtain back on Poland's late nineteenth century and twentieth century masters. A revelation. Furniture and decorative arts can also be explored.

"this museum (and the Burgher museum) just along from our hotel, so thought we'd pop in. Only 4zl, but some really interesting socialist/realist stuff to see, and some more forgettable abstracts. Our abiding memory, though, will be the stasi-like attendants. They positively glowered - even the one who took our money...Was not expecting the 'have a nice day' treatment, but this was something else! Literally following you about as you moved from room to room. They should lighten up - as someone earlier pointed out, the Kelvingrove in Glasgow shows how it's done. The Burgher was similarly staffed...and cost 6zl."

susanderek
United Kingdom
Mar.29.2008
Overall rating 3/5

"would have been a wonderful experience had it not been for the staff whos customer service skills have not moved on since the communist days. Many wonderful pieces to see and possibly a great insight into Polish life and history. Just try not to take pictures without a permit as they may interrogate you!"

James Gilmour
United Kingdom
Jan.17.2008
Overall rating 3/5

"first I have to say like the other visitors - great museum!for sure it is a testimony for the great potential of the polish people - they know to appreciate life!I wish their taste for good furniture will become a duty in europe!also their exhibition for clothes is great - why wouldn't the world have these polish costumes instead of the dirty jeans...but I have a wish - I prefer the museum before the third floor - that means, the modern show in the last floor was depressing. real depressing.Ain't it time to go back to the pre-war time when every one was a little lord...today we just happen to become little workers with our jeans and nude and daily curses.I love the museum without the third floor..."

anna safra
United States
Aug.23.2007
Overall rating 4/5

"the 20th century polish art exhibit is incredibly beautiful and impressive - it shows the whole range of polish art during the period, all the way up to the very modern. fans of modern art museums should not miss this exhibit!"

Dagny
United States
May.14.2007
Overall rating 5/5

"The museum is a very very very wondeful expirence you shouldnt miss in kraków! When i went to krakow i did dont know about the museum and all that stuff...But when i arrived at the museum..i was impressed! A very cheap tickez....and then......i stayed ijn front of the portrait of Cecilia Gallerani...and was overwhelmed!!! A DAvinci.....A portrait of a woman with my name!!! It was like a spell.....Kraków and me we have a fixation..i know that! You gotta go there too! Greetings CeciliaXXX"

Cecilia
Germany
Mar.19.2007
Overall rating 5/5

"Will be you very kind, and send me some information about one picture, that is in collection of your Museum. This is "The red" about Teodor Axentowicz"

Tatyana Binovska
Ukraine
Feb.11.2007
Overall rating 1/5

"Visited the National Museum 4th August 2006. The 'Fin de Siecle' exhibition of Polish art nouveau posters, clothes, furniture, jewellery etc, was excellent, a revelation. Also,there were some beautiful items in the 'Decorative Arts' section. We had mixed feelings about the 'Pankiewicz' exhibition - liked his earlier, very detailed drawings and his portraits. However, his later works left us thinking that he was struggling to find his own style, perhaps simply copying other artists. The overwhelming impression was of quantity rather than quality (in the later works). The 20th century Polish gallery was interesting- you will be sure to find some things that you like in there, and it was all displayed very well. Every exhibit had a decription in both Polish and English, which was great. Overall, it is well worth a visit. We bought some exhibition posters for 5zl and 10zl,in the gift shop, which was incredibly cheap. There is a nice little coffee shop. One major criticism is that the gallery attendants follow you around and stare in a very disconcerting manner, you will feel that you are being stalked. I hasten to add that we were not behaving in a suspicious way, merely looking at the exhibits (which we had paid to do!). Even in the coffee shop, a girl had obviously been sent to watch us, and pointedly stared in a very ill-mannered way. There were certainly very few people in the gallery- we wondered if they are not really used to visitors - maybe they prefer not to have any? They need to relax and try to be more user-friendly, as it is very off-putting. They should take a lesson from 'Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum' in Glasgow, which is very visitor-friendly and is consequently a busy, popular place. "

Karen Wilson
United Kingdom
Aug.06.2006
Overall rating 4/5