The ever popular Night of Museums (Noc Muzeów w Krakowie 2017) makes a welcome return on 19th/20th May 2017 from 6pm-1am.
The highlight of this years event will undoubtedly be the presentation of Kraków and arguably Poland’s most famous painting “Lady with an Ermine” by Leonardo da Vinci, in the Main Building of the National Museum.
Since 2004 the cities museums and galleries have opened their doors for the ‘Night of Museums’ (Noc Muzeów), modelled on Berlin’s “Lange Nacht der Museen”, with 28 museums taking part this year.
The Krakow branch of the Institute of National Remembrance, (Instytut Pamięci Narodowej Oddział w Krakowie) and the Stained Glass Museum (Muzeum Witrażu), will be taking part in Museum Night for the first time this year.
In Kraków, crowds of people queue to get free night time entry and occasionally access to otherwise unavailable sections of museums, galleries and institutions across the city, often including special displays and accompanying events.
Museum Night runs from 6pm-1am, although some venues hours may vary.
You can find a a comprehensive programme, including an interactive map (Polish) or download and English text version at the links below.
Programme with Interactive Map (Polish)
Programme in English – PDF Download
Many of the participating institutions have posted more detailed information on their own websites or created specific Noc Muzeów Facebook events.
For a nominal fee of 1 zł you will receive a specially minted commemorative coin which provides unlimited admission.
Free public transport will be provided on the evening from 5pm on the 19th to 2am on the 20th, to passengers in possession of a special admission ticket or commemorative coin. Full details on the terms and conditions can be found on the KMK website.
Some museums require prior reservation (Schindlers, Rynek Underground Museum, Cracow Saltworks Museum, Wieliczka)
A word of warning – Expect Long Queues and Big Crowds, in 2015 over 145 thousand people took part in the Night of Museums.