Delve into Jewish and Polish history and gain an insight into Jewish culture in this award-winning interactive museum at the heart of Warsaw’s old Jewish quarter.
Follow a trail through 1,000 years of Jewish culture and history at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Learn about the significance of its building in the former Warsaw Ghetto and the terrible injustices and devastation of World War II.
As you approach, take in the fascinating contemporary architecture of the museum amid its landscaped grounds. The glass-and-copper building was designed by Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamaki and opened to the public in 2013.
Located in the square in front of the museum is the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes (Pomnik Bohaterów Getta), which commemorates those who lost their lives during the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and sets the tone for your visit to the museum.
Once inside, make your way through the various galleries of this large museum. Read the detailed descriptions as you go, take one of the informative but easy-to-follow audio guides or join a guided tour to get the most from your visit. Different galleries focus on different eras in Jewish history and also look at different cultural aspects.
See how the origins for the museum's name goes back to the 10th century, around the first arrival of Jews in Poland. “Polin” sounds very similar to the Hebrew for “rest here,” so it became the Jewish immigrant’s name for their new country. Learn how the Jewish community thrived and grew in Poland to be the largest in the world before World War II.
Get a feel for Jewish customs and culture, including food, games and major holidays, and follow the different stages of life through Jewish eyes. Stand under the ornate recreated synagogue roof to see the paintings of the Jewish calendar and zodiac. The brightly colored roof is a highlight of the exhibition and a recreation of the one from the lost synagogue of Gwozdziec in present-day Ukraine.
Finish off with a tasty kosher snack or meal at the on-site restaurant or purchase a book or souvenir from the museum’s gift shop.
The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is open daily except Tuesdays and entry fees apply. Parking is limited, but bus, tram and train connections are all available.
