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Museo de la Independencia

Museum of Independence (Alley Solidarnosci 62, Warsaw) – this is a great museum for those interested in learning more about the development of the Polish nation over the centuries – covering battle and efforts at independence (from the Kościuszko uprising to more recent times). There is even material covering local resistance to Communist rule in the 1970s & 1980s (in particular, Lech Walesa’s “Solidarity” movement). Admission: 5 ZŁ (regular), 2 ZŁ (reduced). Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Monday-Friday), 10 am – 4 pm (Saturday-Sunday).

Palacio del Museo en Wilanów

Museum Palace at Wilanów (Street St. Kostki Potockiego 10/16, Warsaw) – this palace was built for one of Poland’s best-regarded monarchs: King Jan III Sobieski. The Wilanów Palace has a combination of a traditional Polish court with an Italian rural villa and a French chateau. The palace’s interior, with their original design and decadent furniture, shows three distinct style periods. The oldest, Baroque royal apartments, are found at the main building, while the south wing shows an 18th century style, and the north wing was decorated by the Potocki family in 19th century style. The first floor shows the Polish Portrait Gallery of Works from the 16th to the 19th centuries — with paintings of kings, local aristocratic families, distinguished Poles and cultural figures.

Admission: 20 ZŁ (regular), 15 ZŁ (discount) (palace): 5 ZŁ (regular), 3 ZŁ (discount)(park only/non-guided tour). Hours: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (Monday, Wed.-Saturday), 10:30 am – 4:00 pm (Sunday / free entrance). Closed on Tuesdays.

Mausoleo de lucha y martirio

Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom (Alley Szucha 25, Warsaw) – located in the left wing of the country’s Ministry of Education, this located once housed the headquarters of the German secret police (Gestapo) during the Nazi occupation, with the basement used as an investigative prison. Numerous artifacts (from documents to photos of the imprisoned – even drawings and carvings) are on display here – so that visitors won’t forget the years that Poland was occupied, and so that locals won’t take for granted the freedoms they now enjoy during the post-Soviet era. See its website for an updated schedule: www.muzeumniepodleglosci.art.pl

Torre Koci Łeb

Koci Łeb Tower (Street Podmurna 74, Toruń) – those passing through this town will notice this fortified tower (which acted as a prison dungeon). Built during the Middle Ages along the town’s northern municipal wall, the tower was extended during the 16th century (adding cannons for improved fire power). It was partially destroyed during the Northern War (in 1703), and refurbished during the early 20th century. This tower also became useful when it held back a Swedish invasion in 1629.

Puerta de Cracovia

Kracow Gate (Lublin Square, Lublin) – located 2 ½ hours southeast of Warsaw, the Kracow Gate was built as part of this city’s fortification during the reign of King Casimir the Great (following a Tatar attack in 1341). It now acts as Lublin History Museum. The name of this gate comes from the royal road that leads from Lublin to Kracow (the one-time capital of Poland). Admission: 3.50 ZŁ (regular), 2.50 ZŁ (reduced). Hours: 9 am – 4 pm (Wednesday – Saturday), 9 am – 5 pm (Sunday). Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.

Museo Histórico de Varsovia

Historical Museum of Warsaw (Street Rynek Starego Miasta 28/42, Warsaw) – this museum is currently housed within 11 tenement buildings in Warsaw’s Old Town section (a replacement from the original site, which was destroyed during World War II). The museum provides archaeological exhibits, paintings, graphics, iconography, sculpture, decorative arts, numismatics, plans and drawings. Some of them, appearing in the permanent exhibition ‘Seven Centuries of Warsaw’, show the history of the city since its founding to modern times. In addition, there’s also a small movie house which shows documentaries on Warsaw during its previous eras. Hours: 10 am – 8 pm.

Museo Fryderyk Chopin

Fryderyk Chopin Museum (Street Okólnik 1, Warsaw) – this museum was launched in 1935 by classical music fans, under its original name (the Chopin Institute). The museum’s exhibits make up the world’s richest and most varied collection of memorabilia related to both Fryderyk Chopin (1810 – 1849) as an individual, and his work. The collection includes manuscripts and printed copies of Chopin’s works, his correspondence, autographs, notes, works of art, personal items belonging to the composer and his piano. Admission: 22 ZŁ (general), 13 ZŁ (reduced), 62 )(family). Hours: 11 am – 8 pm (Tuesday – Sunday). Closed on Mondays.

Fuerte IV

Fort IV (Street Chrobrego 86, Toruń) – this fort was built in 1878-84 as one of the defenses of this town – built by the Prussians who occupied that part of Poland. Incredibly, a bed & breakfast hotel actually exists within this fort. The town of Toruń is located 2 ½ hours northwest of Warsaw (via route E77).

For those who are simply visiting these grounds, the sightseeing route around the Fort begins at its right wing, leading through the entrance yard with the guardhouse and the stables, then over the bridge to the main gate and the  gorge casemate barracks, through the main path into the war gunpowder magazine, the front casemate block with the armored artillery and infantry observation posts, the upper rampart with the emergency shelters and the artillery depot, and the shell casemates of the scarp’s shooting  gallery. Individual sightseeing costs 5 ZŁ (normal, 3 ZŁ (reduced), with group tours (in English and German) running at 100 ZŁ per group (120 ZŁ at night).

Museo del Instituto Histórico Judío Emanuel Ringelblum

Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute Museum (Street Tłomackie 3/5, Warsaw) – this museum, located within the Main Judaic Library, is one of the few Jewish historical sites that are still located in the Warsaw Ghetto. Two major displays are housed here: one on the history of the Warsaw Ghetto (up until the Jewish community’s elimination under Nazi occupation) and the other a selection of Jewish art. Admission: 5-10 ZŁ (free admission on Sunday). Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily.

Copernicus Science Centre

Copernicus Science Centre (Street Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20, Warsaw) — this science museum is named after the famed 16th century Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus – who originally promoted his proven theory that the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of the universe. This science center has over 450 interactive exhibits – which has become popular among students. Admission: 25 ZŁ (standard), 16 ZŁ (discount / seniors, students, children ages 2-19 years) Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Tuesday – Friday), 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (Saturday & Sunday). Closed on Monday.