Located in a green, grassy area just north of the center of the city, the award-winning POLIN museum is one of the best in Europe.
The museum, which has seen over 3 million visitors since it opened in 2014, tells the entire story of Polish Jews - from past through present – in a fascinating way, with plenty of interactive elements. And a new, exciting gallery – an addition to the Core Exhibition - titled “Bonds” - provides a link between past and present via the stories of the descendants of Polish Jews today.
We could easily list a hundred reasons to visit, but let’s focus on the five most important.
1) This museum is extensive and tells the story of Poland from A to Z in incredible detail. Learn about kings, inventors, thinkers and industrialists, as well as about Jewish holidays, customs, religion and culture. Part of the museum is focused on the past, when Jews were part of local communities all across Poland. And part on the present, touching on universal themes like migration and nurturing one's cultural heritage in a new country. Plus, the ticket includes an audio guide in 11 languages.
2) “Bonds” the unique new gallery - an addition to the Core Exhibition - is well worth a visit. It explores the link between past and present by giving a voice to the descendants of Polish Jews and Jewish women who now live in New York, Tel Aviv, São Paulo or Melbourne. What does the heritage of their ancestors mean to them today? The new extraordinary space includes a ceiling installation with nearly 700 buildings symbolizing the homes Jews have created around the world. The centerpiece of the new gallery is a multimedia installation presenting 8 short films presenting a link between past and present.
3) The architecture of this museum is impressive and worth visiting all on its own. Designed by the Lahdelma & Mahlmäki architectural studio from Finland, the museum looks minimalistic from the outside – a large grey structure that draws the eye. But inside, the main hall impresses with undulating, dynamic walls and high ceilings that give it an airy, open feel. Plus, there are tons of excellent elements inside, like a beautifully decorated reconstruction of the vault of the wooden synagogue from Gwoździec. The design of the museum’s interior invites you to explore at your own pace, surrounded at all times by relics and touches of artistry.
4) This museum is actually fantastic for families and children. Unlike some stuffy museums that appeal primarily to adults, there are tons of ways for children and students to interact with the Core Exhibition here. In some exhibits, items can actually be touched and used (have fun printing your own ink poster, for example), and there are plenty of places for little ones to rest. Families can even get special audio guides that are geared toward the youngest visitors. And the color and movement of many of the galleries will impress the littlest viewers. This is regularly one of the top recommended museums in Warsaw for children.
5) Even the food selection here is impressive. As the museum itself says, they go “through the stomach to the heart” with many traditional Jewish meals offered in their restaurant. At the Varshe (Yiddish for Warsaw), find traditional Jewish and Polish dishes from Warsaw from the beginning of the 20th century. Tasty dumplings, dishes from seasonal vegetables, “latkes” - potato pancakes and much much more. You can also try Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and falafel, shakshuka which have gained a permanent place in modern cuisine.
The POLIN museum is one of the highlights of any visit to the city, and once you enter, it’s easy to see why. From food to culture – both past and present – to architecture and the new exhibit, this is one you truly cannot miss.
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