Uprising Museum
Poland
This important historical event is remembered and honored through the museum, which was established in 1983 but remained a construction site for many years before finally opening its doors to the public on July 31, 2004. This date marked the 60th anniversary of the uprising and was a significant moment for the city and its people.
The museum is dedicated to conducting research and preserving the history of the uprising and the Polish Underground State. To achieve this, the museum collects and maintains a vast array of artifacts and memorabilia from the period, including weapons used by the fighters, personal letters, and other objects that offer insights into the lives and experiences of the people who took part in the uprising.
One of the museum's primary goals is to create an archive of historical information on the uprising and to document the stories and memories of surviving participants. These stories and memories provide valuable perspectives on this significant moment in history and help to keep alive the legacy of those who fought and died during the uprising.
The museum is directed by Jan Ołdakowski, with Dariusz Gawin, a historian from the Polish Academy of Sciences, serving as his deputy. The Warsaw Rising Museum is also a member organization of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience, which brings together institutions dedicated to preserving the memories of historical events and promoting awareness of their significance.
Exhibitions
The Warsaw Uprising Museum is a comprehensive and extensive establishment that offers a comprehensive view of the Warsaw Uprising and its effects on the people of Warsaw. Visitors can expect to find a wealth of information and interactive exhibits on different aspects of the uprising and its historical background, spread across several floors of the museum.
At the museum, visitors will find a collection of photographs, audio and video recordings, interactive displays, and other historical artifacts that help to bring the story of the German occupation of Warsaw, the uprising, and its aftermath to life. The exhibits are organized by district, offering a detailed account of what happened in each area of Warsaw during the uprising. To help visitors navigate the museum and understand the events that took place during this time, there are also free informative leaflets and flyers available in Polish and English, including 63 calendar pages covering the period from August 1st, 1944 to October 2nd, 1944.
Some of the key sections and exhibits at the museum include:
The "little insurgent" room: This room is dedicated to the youngest participants in the uprising and their experiences during the conflict. It features a replica of the "little insurgent" monument and a colorized photograph of Róża Maria Goździewska, who was known as "the little nurse".
Kino Palladium: A small cinema that offers visitors the opportunity to watch a continuous stream of original footage taken by insurgent filmographers during the uprising, which was used to produce newsreels that were shown in Warsaw's Palladium cinema.
Sewer replicas: Visitors can experience the practice of using the sewers to move through German-held territory without the sewage. There is one replica on the mezzanine floor and another in the basement.
Insurgent hospital: This section showcases the efforts to provide medical aid to the wounded during the uprising.
Hangar: This hall contains a full-size B-24 Liberator aircraft.
Large cinema: On the ground floor, the museum has a large cinema that presents a reconstructed film of newsreels. The film ends with Chopin's Prelude in D Minor, Op. 28 no. 24.
Observation tower: Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Warsaw from the top of the building.
Print shop: This room contains original typewriters and printing equipment that were used to produce underground newspapers during the German occupation.
City of Ruins: A short 3D movie of the ruins of Warsaw taken from the air in 1945 is available for viewing.
Nazi section: This section is dedicated to the horrors of the German occupation and the atrocities committed by the Germans and their collaborators during the uprising.
Communist section: This section explores the Soviet takeover of Poland, the establishment of Stalin's puppet government, the lack of help for the uprising, and the fate of the Polish resistance in post-war communist Poland.
Overall, the Warsaw Uprising Museum provides a rich and immersive experience for visitors interested in learning about the history of this significant event in Polish history.