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Warsaw · Millennium of history

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw

Uncover a millennium of Jewish life and culture in Warsaw.

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The POLIN Museum takes visitors on a journey through 1000 years of the history of Polish Jews, from the Middle Ages to the present day. It showcases their enduring culture and contributions through its core exhibition and diverse temporary displays.

Discover the 1000-year history and cultural legacy of Polish Jews through immersive exhibitions and educational programs.

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
POLIN Museum: A Millennium of Polish Jewish History

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw is dedicated to preserving and presenting the 1000-year history of Jewish people in Poland. It utilizes a comprehensive core exhibition and varied temporary displays to explore the social, cultural, and political facets of this enduring community. Serving as a center for historical research and education, the museum offers an immersive experience into Jewish heritage from earliest settlements to contemporary times.

Modern building with a glass and metal facade, featuring a large angular entrance and a blue sky with clouds.
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews opening hours in Warsaw

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Warsaw.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
10:00-18:00
-
10:00-18:00
10:00-18:00
10:00-18:00
10:00-20:00
10:00-18:00
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews Admission

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews offers various admission options for visitors. While free entry is available, paid tickets cover adult, student, child, group, and family categories. Student admission is available for individuals aged 7 to 26 with a valid ID. Group tickets are offered for parties of 10 or more, and specific family ticket options are also provided for visiting groups of 3 to 6.

Regular Ticket (Core & Temporary Exhibitions)
PLN 45.00

Includes Core Exhibition, audio guide, temporary exhibition, and Legacy Gallery

Reduced Ticket (Core & Temporary Exhibitions)
PLN 35.00

Eligible for reduced fee holders Includes Core Exhibition, audio guide, temporary exhibition, and Legacy Gallery

Group Ticket (Core & Temporary Exhibitions)
PLN 30.00

For groups of 10 or more people Per person price

Visitor Amenities and Accessibility at POLIN Museum

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews provides a range of facilities designed to ensure a comfortable and inclusive visitor experience. Guests can utilize dedicated accessibility features including step-free access, lift systems, and comprehensive support for individuals with sensory impairments, such as tactile aids and assistive listening systems. Furthermore, the museum offers additional practical services like complimentary wheelchair access and audio guides to help all visitors engage fully with the exhibitions.

Accessible parking

Available

Stationary induction loops

Available

Braille and tactile elements

Available

Lifts and elevators

Available
Family visits at POLIN Museum

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews offers King Matt’s Family Education Area, a space designed for children up to age 10 to engage with culture through play. Families can utilize an on-site library, creative art materials, and interactive mini-exhibitions. Additional details regarding weekend free play sessions and workshop availability are accessible through the dedicated family-visit page.

Recommended age: Ages 0–10

King Matt’s Family Education Area is a colorful and safe space where children can play, read, or participate in creative family workshops.

Why families will enjoy it

  • Dedicated interactive mini-exhibition for children and adults
  • Free play sessions available on weekends without registration
  • On-site library and creative art materials
  • Child-friendly toilet facilities available within the education area

Activities and resources for children

Play area

King Matt’s Family Education Area - Free Play

Ages 0–10Free

Weekend free play sessions in a colorful, modern environment.

Family program

Family Workshops

Ages 0–10Booking required

Creative workshops exploring Jewish culture and history.

Museum pass access at POLIN Museum

Visitors to the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw can utilize select museum passes to gain entry to the site. Depending on the specific pass held, access is either fully included or available through provided benefits. Please review individual card details for information on conditions and visit requirements.

Location of POLIN Museum

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is situated at Mordechaja Anielewicza 6 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, offering a central urban location. This positioning provides visitors with easy access to explore the museum's comprehensive exhibitions on the 1000-year history and cultural legacy of Polish Jews.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Mordechaja Anielewicza 6

00-157 Warsaw

Mazowieckie, PL

Planning Your Visit to POLIN Museum

When planning your visit to the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance. This helps ensure a smoother entry experience and allows you to better prepare for your time exploring the museum's extensive narrative galleries. Planning ahead is advisable to optimize your visit.

Planning Your Visit to POLIN Museum

The POLIN Museum Experience

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw offers an extensive journey through a millennium of Jewish life in Poland. Dedicated to preserving and presenting this rich history, the museum's Core Exhibition provides a chronological narrative, guiding visitors through key social, cultural, and political facets of the community from early settlements to contemporary times. Beyond its permanent galleries, the museum enriches the visitor experience with rotating special presentations, often exploring Jewish languages or unique artistic works, and interactive mini-exhibitions designed for various age groups, including families. This museum serves as a vital center for historical research and the popularization of Jewish heritage.

A colorful, ornately painted ceiling of a synagogue with a central bimah in a museum gallery
Top exhibition picks at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Curated museum program highlights and what to see now in Warsaw
Discover high-interest exhibitions at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, selected to help you prioritize your route, compare show themes, and plan a more rewarding museum visit in Warsaw.
A Barnett Newman abstract painting featuring a vertical purple 'zip' on a textured, muted background with faint handwritten text and signature 'F.N. 1964'.
From Feb 19, 2027

Barnett Newman: From Scratch – Abstract Art Exhibition at POLIN Museum

Pioneering abstract expressionist exploring themes of suffering and heritage.

Discover Barnett Newman's profound abstract paintings, making their Polish debut. This exhibition at POLIN Museum explores his iconic 'zips' and deep engagement with post-Holocaust themes and Jewish identity in 20th-century art.

Barnett Newman Exhibition
An artistic illustration of a tree made from Jewish languages and alphabets, with the words 'MOC SŁOW' and cultural symbols like a menorah and pomegranate, set against a blurred gallery background.
Nov 21, 2025 – Jun 8, 2026

The Power of Words: On Jewish Languages Exhibition – Explore Cultural Heritage

Discover Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino through artifacts and contemporary art.

Delve into the rich history and diversity of Jewish languages with this compelling exhibition. Understand their cultural significance and role in identity formation for dispersed communities worldwide. Features objects, texts, and thought-provoking contemporary art.

The Power of Words
A large, four-meter-long ink and gouache artwork titled 'Ghetto' by Marek Oberländer, depicting nude figures in despair with intense purple and gold tones, displayed in a museum gallery.
Apr 13, 2026 – Jun 15, 2026

Experience Marek Oberländer’s Monumental "Ghetto" Exhibition at POLIN Museum

A powerful visual testimony of the Holocaust, unseen by the public for decades.

Witness Marek Oberländer’s profound 1955 work "Ghetto," a monumental frieze presented at POLIN Museum. This exhibition showcases powerful art that provides a unique visual perspective on the Holocaust, available with free admission.

View Exhibition Details

Origins and Development of POLIN Museum

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews began as an idea in 1995, initiated by the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland, with land in Warsaw's Muranów district allocated the same year. This vision led to the formal establishment of the museum in May 2006, following a public-private partnership. Construction of the architecturally acclaimed building commenced in 2009, leading to its opening on April 19, 2013, a date chosen to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The museum's core exhibition, which explores a *thousand-year history of Jewish life in Poland*, fully opened in October 2014, and its significant contributions were recognized with the European Museum of the Year Award in 2016.

  • Idea for a museum initiated

    1995Founding

    The idea for creating a major new museum dedicated to the history of Polish Jews was initiated in 1995 by the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland. In the same year, the Warsaw City Council allocated land in Muranów, the prewar Jewish quarter and site of the former Warsaw Ghetto.

  • Establishment of museum entity

    2006Founding

    In 2005, a private-public partnership was formed between the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland, the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and the City of Warsaw. The museum was formally established in May 2006.

  • Award for museum's architectural design

    2008-2014Architecture

    The museum's architectural design, by Rainer Mahlamäki, received the Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award in 2008, and Mahlamäki himself was awarded the Finlandia Prize for Architecture in 2014 for his work on the museum.

  • Construction of museum building begins

    2009-2012Construction

    The construction of the museum building was officially inaugurated on June 30, 2009. The project was completed in 33 months.

  • Museum building opens

    2013Opening

    The museum building opened its doors on April 19, 2013, coinciding with the 70th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. This marked the beginning of its educational and cultural programs.

  • Core Exhibition opens

    2014Opening

    The Core Exhibition, showcasing the thousand-year history of Polish Jews, officially opened on October 28, 2014, completing the museum's main presentation.

  • European Museum of the Year Award

    2016Cultural significance

    In 2016, the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews received the European Museum of the Year Award from the European Museum Forum, recognizing its significance and quality.

  • Launch of Virtual Shtetl portal

    2009Other

    On June 17, 2009, the museum launched the Virtual Shtetl portal, an online resource providing information on Jewish life in Poland before and after the Holocaust, featuring over 1,240 towns.

POLIN Museum FAQs: Quick Answers and Quirks

Curious about the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews? While we can quickly confirm the museum in Warsaw is closed every Tuesday, you might find some other practical details, like parking availability, are still a bit elusive. Rest assured, our full FAQs cover many essential questions for your visit to this significant institution.

Does the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews offer free entry?

Yes, admission to both the core and temporary exhibitions is free on Thursdays. On other days, regular admission fees apply.

Can I buy student tickets at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews?

Yes, students and youth aged 7 to 26 within the Polish education system can purchase a special ticket for 1 PLN upon presenting a valid student card. General reduced tickets are also available for 35 PLN.

What are the ticket prices for the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews?

Regular admission for both the core and temporary exhibitions is 45 PLN, and reduced admission is 35 PLN. If you only wish to visit the temporary exhibition, regular tickets cost 30 PLN and reduced tickets cost 25 PLN.

What are the group tickets rates for the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews?

Group tickets are available for groups of 10 or more people, priced at 30 PLN per person for both core and temporary exhibitions, 18 PLN for the core exhibition only, and 20 PLN for the temporary exhibition only.

Tips for Visiting POLIN Museum

When planning your visit to the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, reservations are recommended to ensure a smooth experience. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, offering step-free entry points and accessible toilets throughout the premises. For an enhanced understanding of the exhibits, audio guides are available. Accessible parking spaces are also provided for convenience.

Visitor Suitability for POLIN Museum

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw is well-suited for visitors interested in history, culture, and the rich heritage of Polish Jews. The museum actively welcomes families, offering interactive mini-exhibitions designed for various age groups. Furthermore, it provides extensive accessibility features, including step-free access, wheelchair availability, accessible parking, and assistive listening systems, making it inclusive for visitors with diverse needs. It is recommended to make a reservation before your visit.

POLIN Museum Gallery

Explore images that showcase the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, revealing its contemporary architectural design and immersive exhibition spaces. Visitors can preview the detailed reconstructions, such as the colorful Gwoździec Synagogue ceiling, alongside modern interiors featuring glass railings and spacious galleries. These visuals reflect the museum's dedication to presenting the rich, 1000-year history of Jewish life in Poland.

A colorful, ornately painted ceiling of a synagogue with a central bimah in a museum gallery
The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews logo with text and a stylized name on blue and black backgrounds
Black tree-shaped logo on a yellow background, composed of Hebrew and Yiddish letters, with the words MOC and SKŁOW in the branches.
curved beige walls and glass railing in a modern museum interior
Modern building with a glass and metal facade, featuring a large angular entrance and a blue sky with clouds.
modern interior of a museum with white walls, glass railings, and wooden staircases
Interior view of a modern museum with a curved stone wall and glass facade, showing a long hallway with shadows cast on the floor
Modern building with a glass and metal facade, featuring a triangular glass entrance and flags on poles
Modern building with a glass and metal facade and a large angular entrance under a blue sky
A woman wearing headphones looks up at a colorful, intricately patterned ceiling mural in a museum gallery
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