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Krakow has an embarrassment of riches on the museum front. But before we get into some of the highlights, you might wonder how so much treasure got here in the first place? Well, it's not simply because Krakow is the former Royal Capital. It's also because when museums first came into vogue in Europe, Poland only really existed as an idea. The country had been wiped off the map in 1795 by Russia, Prussia and Austria, and thereafter, presenting patriotic material was not at all easy. Poland's oldest museum, the Czartoryski - now a branch of the National - had to flee to France with its owners, the Czartoryski Princes, in 1831. But thankfully, all was not lost.
In 1873, the Austrians gave the Poles a free rein - much to the annoyance of Russia and Prussia. Henceforth, the Habsburg kingdom of Galicia became the most flexible place in the former Polish lands to launch a patriotic enterprise. Krakow immediately took the lead, aided by the fact that many Polish nobles had property in the city. The nobility wanted to turn Krakow into a giant open-air (and indoor) museum of Poland's history. The jewel in the crown was to be the former Royal Castle - officially returned to the nation in 1905 after a dismal stint as an Austrian army barracks. In the meantime, four museums had been launched or relaunched - the Czartoryski, the Hutten-Czapski, the Matejko and the Gallery of Polish Art - all of which are now under the wings of the National. More branches were added after Poland regained her independence in 1918, including a massive modern building for the main seat. As it was, Krakow's material heritage managed to survive the Second World War in better shape than most Polish cities, and today the visitor can enjoy the accumulation of centuries of heritage. A brief guide to the National Museum's tremendous collections follows below. 
Above: "The Monumental Theatre of Stanislaw Wyspianski" exhibition, National Museum in Cracow – Main Building, al. 3 Maja 1, 28 November 2007 – 2 March 2008
The National Museum, Main Building
al. 3 Maja 1
Contains the recently renovated 'Gallery of 20th Century Polish Art' - a highlight of Krakow's cultural galaxy. Also the Gallery of Decorative Art and the Gallery of Arms and Armour. Last but not least, the museum hosts some glorious one-off exhibitions, many of which are listed below.
Previous Exhibitions
Wyspianski: Monumental Theatre November 28th 2007 - March 2nd 2008
Transitions: Highlights of the landscape collection of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
'Art Deco And More' May 19th - September 2nd, 2007
'Rafal Malczewski and the Zakopane Myth' Nov. 17th 2006 - Jan. 14th 2007
'Fin-de-Siecle in Krakow' July 14th 2006 - Nov. 12th 2006
'Jozef Pankiewicz (1866-1940)' June 14th 2006 - August 13th 2006
'Marc Chagall: Commedia dell 'Arte' April 1st -May 27th 2006
'Treasures From the Polish Library In Paris' Sep. 3rd - Nov. 21st 2004
'Polish Posters (1899-2003)' March 12- April 25th 2004
The Czartoryski Museum
ul. Sw. Jana 19
Poland's oldest museum, originally founded in 1796. Still co-administered by descendants of the Czartoryski Princes. The museum owns the famed Leonardo portrait, 'Lady with an Ermine'. The interiors exude old world charm, with hand-painted labels in French and Polish.
Previous Exhibitions
Jacques Henri Lartigue April 19th-June 17th, 2007
Napoleon and the Poles October 23rd 2004 - January 15th 2005.
The Cloth Hall Gallery
The Cloth Hall, Main Market Square
The first outlet of the National Museum in Krakow. Opened in the Cloth Hall in 1879. Currently undergoing major renovation (the collection has been temporarily moved to Niepolomice Castle)
The Stanislaw Wyspianski Museum
Szolajski House, ul. Szczepanska 11
An early member of the Viennese Secession, and sometime friend of Gauguin, Wyspianski went on to dominate the Polish art scene of his day. This recently renovated museum reveals the startling breadth of his talent.
Previous Exhibitions
You Yourself Shall Raise a Pyre: Wyspianski Centenary December 8th 2007 - March 9th 2008
Jan Stanislawski January 6th - March 27th, 2007
The Matejko House
ul. Florianska 41
Jan Matejko's swashbuckling paintings were designed to uplift hearts during the long era of occupation. He became a national treasure, and an inspiration to scores of younger artists. Matejko lived at this house for many years, and the interiors have changed little since the museum opened in 1906.
Previous Exhibitions
Jan Matejko: The Great Illustrator May 15th - August 31st 2004
The Jozef Mehoffer House
ul. Krupnicza 26
This mansion houses another of Krakow's lesser known treasures. Jozef Mehoffer was an oustanding figure in Polish art, highlights of who's work can be seen at Wawel Cathedral as well as at the Armenian Cathedral in Lvov. He lived in this fine Cracovian residence, which has been preserved much as he left it. The gardens were recently brought back to life to much acclaim.
Bishop Erazm Ciolek Palace
ul. Kanonicza 17
Opened in late 2007, 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.
IN ZAKOPANE
The Karol Szymanowski Museum
ul. Kasprusie 19
Poland's greatest interwar composer lived at this Villa for many years. Today it houses a small museum devoted to his life and work.
Official Web Page of the National Museum in Krakow
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