National Museum in Gdańsk

The National Museum in Gdańsk is the largest cultural institution in Pomerania and one of the oldest museums in Poland. Founded in 1948, it brings together the heritage of Gdańsk and the wider region across several sites in the city. It is a rewarding stop for anyone who wants to see more of Gdańsk than the Long Market and the Motława waterfront.

What is the National Museum in Gdańsk?

It is a multi-branch institution run by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and listed in the national register of museums. Rather than a single building, it is a group of branches with distinct profiles, from old masters and modern art to ethnography. That means you can build a visit around your own interests, or spread it over a few separate outings.

What can you see in the Department of Old Art?

The most important part of the collection is housed in a former Franciscan monastery on Toruńska Street. In a hall that once served as the monastery refectory, you can see Hans Memling's famous triptych "The Last Judgment", regarded as the most valuable work in the museum's holdings. The painting was created in the Netherlands in the 15th century and reached Gdańsk in remarkable circumstances, as booty seized at sea by a Gdańsk privateer. For centuries it hung in St Mary's Church before becoming a museum treasure.

Beyond Memling, the department holds a rich collection of paintings, including works by Netherlandish masters such as Ferdinand Bol, Jan Brueghel the Younger and Jan van Goyen. There are also sculptures, furniture, ceramics, pewter, goldsmithing and prints. Together they reflect the wealth of old Gdańsk, a merchant port that drew art from across Europe for centuries.

Why head to Oliwa?

Two more branches are found in the Oliwa district. The Abbots' Palace houses the Department of Modern Art, while the former Abbots' Granary is home to the Department of Ethnography. It is a chance to combine a museum visit with a walk through one of the greenest parts of Gdańsk, close to the park and the famous cathedral. For many visitors, Oliwa makes for the most pleasant day out.

Who is it for?

• Lovers of painting and art history who want to see works by European masters.
• Families and groups looking for a rainy-day alternative to strolling the Old Town.
• Anyone curious about regional culture and traditions, who will find interesting ethnographic collections.
• Visitors who prefer a slower pace, taking in one or two branches rather than all of them at once.

How to plan your visit

Because the museum has several branches in different parts of the city, decide in advance which one you want to see. The Department of Old Art is in the centre, so it pairs easily with a walk around the Main Town. The Oliwa branches take a little travel but are a great complement to a day spent in the park. Check opening hours, current exhibitions and the availability of individual rooms on the museum's official website before you go, as displays are sometimes rearranged, and that includes the presentation of Memling's work.

Frequently asked questions

Is the National Museum in Gdańsk a single building? No. It is an institution made up of several branches in different parts of Gdańsk, including the centre and Oliwa.

What is the most valuable work in the collection? The triptych "The Last Judgment" by Hans Memling, kept in the Department of Old Art.

When was the museum founded? In 1948, which makes it one of the oldest museums in Poland.

Where can I see modern art and ethnography? In Oliwa: modern art in the Abbots' Palace and ethnographic collections in the former Abbots' Granary.

How much time should I set aside? A few hours is usually enough for one branch, though art lovers may want longer.