Centrum Hewelianum

Set inside the guts of the Napoleonic-era Fort Grodzisko the Centrum Hewelianum is a science park/museum built to honour Johannes Hevelius, the famed astronomer born in this city in 1611. Currently the exhibition consists of two parts, the first of which is called Wehikuł Czasu - Człowiek i Pocisk (Time machine – the Human and the Bullet). Set inside the brick tunnels of this 19th century fortress, the exhibition recreates what the fort would have looked like when it was first built, its atmospheric corridors filled with cannons, weaponry and lifelike mannequins in period uniform. Scale models and pictures complete the immersion, and go a long way to illustrating what life must have been like defending such an outpost. The second part of the exhibition is titled Energia, Niebo i Słońce (Energy, Sky and Sun). Now this place really is quite something, and does a good job of making sense of science in a fun manner that’s accessible to all ages. Featuring plenty of machines, computers and interactive gadgets this is one of those museums that encourages visitors to get hands on, with the laws of physics and astronomy explained in idiot-proof ways. As diversions go this place is priceless, and welcome news to an area that had previously been allowed to gently rot. The addition of some English translations and a small English language guide, which comes with your ticket, help to improve the experience.

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Open:

Wehikuł Czasu exhibition. Open 09:00 - 16:00. Closed Mon. From June open 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Admission free.

Energia, Niebo i Słońce exhibition. Open 08:30-15:30, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Mon. From July open 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon. Admission 8/6zł.