Warsaw Rising Museum
Start off by learning about life under Nazi rule, your tour accompanied by the background rattle of machine guns, dive bombers and a thumping heartbeat. Different halls focus on the many aspects of the Uprising; walk through a replica radio station, or a covert printing press.
The mezzanine level features film detailing the first month of battle, before which visitors get to clamber through a mock sewer. The final sections are devoted to the creation of a Soviet puppet state, a hall of remembrance, and a particularly poignant display about the destruction of the city; take time to watch the black and white ‘before and after’ shots of important Warsaw landmarks being systematically obliterated by the Nazis as punishment.
Near the exit check out the film City of Ruins, a silence-inducing 5 minute 3D aerial 'film' which took 2 years to make and used old pictures and new technology to recreate a picture of the desolation of ‘liberated’ Warsaw in March 1945.
There is also an exact replica of a B24 Allied plane once used to make supply drops over the besieged city. A viewing platform (open weather permitting) and ‘peace garden’ wrap up this high impact experience. FYI: there are new QR-code-triggered videos for the hearing impaired at every exhibition.
Average visiting time: 3hrs. Guided tour in Polish is 150 zł; In English, German, French, Russian, Italian or Spanish it is 200 zł. Audio guides are 10 zł. Free admission on Mondays
Amenities
Facilities for disabled
Comments
Hayley
New Zealand
It's a fantastic museum but I would recommend caution about visiting on Sunday. While entry is free, on my visit this week it was SO crowded which affected my ability to experience and absorb the exhibits.
Cagatay Vural
Turkey
The museum is very close to main center, I was suprised, great decorated, pictures, guns, movies....etc. Its a must if you are in Warsaw.
Dom Smith
Reading (UK)
This is a must see place. In truth it is a bit confusing, therfe is an awful lot to see and hear there but if you have the time then I recomend it.
Lance Grundy
Great Britain
This museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the Polish capital. It would be almost impossible to appreciate modern Warsaw, particularly the way it now looks, without an understanding of what happened to the city in 1944. Even though I visited late on a Saturday afternoon there was still a long queue for tickets and the museum was packed. While its definitely worth paying the extra 2 zloty to watch the 3-D silent film "Miasto Ruin" [see above] you may, like me, have to wait in a long queue for that too [although if you're in a hurry you can catch the film in 2-D on the internet via Vimeo].
Gerald Ceasar ( Przybylowicz)
My grandfather immigrated to the NYC from Warsaw in 1905. I remember reading as a teen ager reading the well written book about the Warsaw uprising where the Polish Home Army fought the best of Hitler's SS ( the Herman Goring Division) to a standstill for four months fom 9 1944 to 12 1944 kiling 40 000 Nazis. The Polish Resistance was the best organized of all the resistance movements during WWII. Would love to see this museum.
Wanda
My father fought n the AK in the Warsaw Uprising as a 16 year old boy. When I saw the Museum in 2007 it was a very moving experience for me. I just walked around reading all the exhibits but felt very close to him he passed away young probably from severe health problems arising from his time in the AK . May the Poles and the Poles' descendants never forget the AK's heroic resistance and their courage in the face of betrayal by the Soviet army and the silence of the west.
Stephen Mysliwy
My wife and I visited the museum on the anniversary of the uprising last year August 1st 2009. An excellent place to visit You left the right sunshine and entered the dark places of wartime Warsawa. Room after room of harrowing tales of bravery and sacrifice. Street by street ,neighborhood by neighborhood stories of the great struggle were told. The display was then juxtaposed by story of the 1980's solidarity movement. It being a Sunday the entry to the museum was free. Allow plenty of time then enjoy a Perogi in the adjacent old town.
Megan
My Grandfather was a Home Army soldier who survived the Warsaw Uprising, only to be taken to Germany as a POW, so this museum was a must see for me when I visited Poland. It gave me a very deep insight into the experiences of my Dziadek and those of the people in Poland during WW2. It left me very emotional and grateful that such a place exists.
ida
Great, it really is :)
jakub
Im polish and i went inside the museum, and i know almost everything about the uprising. Some people think only about what the americans did in WWII. People think that the americans have a sad story. But, if you go inside the museum and know about the uprising, you will literally be crying.
Scott
Possibly one of the best museums I have been to in the world. Make sure you leave time for this museum - it's not to be rushed. Also great for all ages. I was impressed at how interactive and user friendly the museum was for all ages. Amazing!
Jules
Ive been there recently with my family and it was a really great experience. It was very emotional at times but i learnt alot that day, that i probably wouldn't have known about if i hadnt gone.
Arline Guyton
We saw the Museum on April 18, 2008. It was quite amazing! Please allow at least 2 hours to watch the video, hear the personal stories, see the exhibits, etc. Quite an eye-0pener for anyone not familiar with the fairly recent history of Poland
Ian
It is a fantastic museum - smart, world-class and very, very moving. The subject matter is presented in a documentary style leaving one to absorb the very personal stories... Despite the serious nature of the content, this museum is indeed one of Warsaw's top 'must-see' attractions. A real insight into how the Poland of today came into being...
Gosia
Great.