Although during the Second World War, most of the museum's pieces were stolen, later recovered and added to the National Museum, today's exhibits showcase more than 10,000 items, from the Middle Ages up to today, and is surprising for its wealth of secular art.
Split into two sections - the Sacred (in the basement) and the Profane (on the ground floor), the former includes old monstrances, chalices and liturgical vestments (dating back to the 15th century), as well as paintings and sculptures presenting scenes from the life of Jesus, Mary and the saints, plus personal items once belonging to blessed Stefan Wyszyński - Primate of Poland.
The latter includes lots of furniture and clocks, plus sculpture and paintings, including works by famous artists such as Jacek Malczewski, one of the most fantastic Polish painters from the turn of the 20th Century. It also features works from 20th Century sculptors Alfons Karny and Henryk Kuna and even 27 canvases by dystopian surrealist painter Zdzisław Beksiński from the Paris collection of Anna and Piotr Dmochowski. One of the highlights of the museum is to enter the 'Royal Corridor' (also known as the 'Piekarski Corridor') that formerly connected the Royal Castle with the Cathedral, and was built to ensure King Sigismund III Vasa's safe passage between the two following a failed assassination attempt by Michał Piekarski in 1620.
Don't miss the temporary exhibition "Truth and Freedom. Father Jerzy Popiełuszko" which is dedicated to the memory of Popiełuszko, the priest of "Solidarity" who opposed the communist government and was killed for his views in the 1980s. Additionally, there are plenty of other temporary exhibitions throughout the year so make sure to check back for more!
Go down the side street (ul. Dziekania) to find the entrance.
Average visiting time: 1hr.
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