The National Museum in Warsaw, at Aleje Jerozolimskie 3, brings Polish and international art together in a large Modernist building. Its collections range from Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities to medieval art, Polish painting and contemporary works. Make time for the Faras Gallery, known for its early Christian wall paintings from Nubia, and look for Jan Matejko’s Battle of Grunwald among the Polish works. The museum spans several floors, so choose a few galleries in advance if you do not have several hours.
From the Museum of Fine Arts to a national collection
The museum was founded in 1862 as the Warsaw Museum of Fine Arts. Its present Modernist building on Aleje Jerozolimskie was built between 1927 and 1938. The institution now holds Polish and international works spanning antiquity to contemporary art, including paintings, sculpture, drawings, photographs and decorative objects.
The scale of the collection means a single visit calls for choices. The galleries cover several periods and subjects, from ancient art to Polish painting and design. If you have a particular work or section in mind, check the museum’s current information before setting out.
The Faras Gallery and ancient art
The Faras Gallery holds Nubian Christian art from the area of Faras in present-day Sudan. Its collection includes early Christian wall paintings excavated at a medieval cathedral site. Polish archaeologists worked at Faras and in Egypt, and the objects brought to Warsaw are authentic archaeological finds.
The museum’s ancient collection also includes Egyptian, Greek and Roman art. Together, these galleries offer a chance to see works from the ancient world alongside art from later periods without leaving the museum.
Polish painting and European works
Polish painting is a major part of the collection, with galleries spanning from the 16th century onwards. Jan Matejko’s Battle of Grunwald is among the museum’s best-known works. The collections also include paintings by Polish artists such as Jacek Malczewski, Maksymilian Gierymski, Henryk Siemiradzki and Stanisław Wyspiański.
European painting appears across galleries devoted to artists and works from countries including Italy, France, Flanders, the Netherlands, Germany and Russia. The range makes it possible to set Polish art alongside works from elsewhere in Europe.
Design and planning your visit
The Polish Design Gallery covers objects such as furniture, textiles and household items. Other parts of the collection include medieval painting and sculpture, icons, coins and photographs, so a visit can extend well beyond the painting galleries.
Plan for a substantial visit if you want to cover several sections; the material is spread across multiple floors and can take hours to explore. The museum recommends advance ticket booking. Temporary exhibitions may require a separate paid ticket, so check the current details before your visit. The museum is closed on Mondays and has a later closing time on Fridays.
Häufige Fragen
How much time should I plan for the National Museum in Warsaw?
Set aside at least five hours to explore the collection in depth. The galleries span several floors, and a shorter visit will mean choosing which sections to see.
What should I see at the National Museum in Warsaw?
Consider the Faras Gallery, Polish painting galleries and the ancient art collection. Jan Matejko’s Battle of Grunwald is among the museum’s best-known works.
Is the Faras Gallery part of the National Museum?
Yes. It displays Nubian Christian art, including early Christian wall paintings excavated at a medieval cathedral site in Faras, Sudan.
Does the museum have temporary exhibitions?
Yes. Check the museum’s current programme before visiting. Temporary exhibitions may require a separate paid ticket.
