Museum of Militaria and Archaeology in Wrocław

Medals available in the lobby!

The Wrocław Museum of Militaria is housed in the Municipal Arsenal building, also known as St. Nicholas Arsenal. The origins of the structure date back to the 15th century, with its current form resulting from an expansion carried out in 1658. The Museum of Militaria naturally continues the military purpose of the Arsenal as a defensive structure and weapons depot. The museum’s beginnings trace back to 1971 when the Arms Department of the then Historical Museum in Wrocław was established. The Museum of Militaria in its current form was created in 2000 as a branch of the Wrocław City Museum.

The museum collects artifacts of Polish and foreign arms. Its leading collections include: edged weapons (17th-20th century), firearms (19th-20th century), helmets, patriotic memorabilia, battle-themed iconography, a collection of uniforms from World War II and the postwar period, as well as military equipment elements. The Museum of Militaria belongs to the International Committee of Museums of Arms and Military History (ICOMAM). The museum’s collections are displayed in four permanent exhibitions, periodically enriched with a fifth temporary exhibition hall.

The Archaeological Museum was established in 1815 based on private and post-secularization archaeological collections. The creator of this first museum was J.G.G. Büsching, a figure highly instrumental in laying the foundations not only for modern museum practice but also for Wrocław’s archival and library sciences. Since its inception, it has changed locations multiple times and been part of various museums. Currently, it is one of six branches of the Wrocław City Museum.

From the beginning, the Archaeological Museum focused exclusively on acquiring, documenting, and making available archaeological artifacts from the Silesian region. This continues to this day, primarily through excavations and accidental discoveries. The museum holds artifacts representing eras from the Old Stone Age (500,000 years ago) to modern times (19th century). In addition to artifacts that have long been part of archaeological literature, both professional and popular-scientific, there are also those currently acquired during rescue excavations preceding construction investments, mainly in Wrocław’s Old Town.

The Archaeological Museum is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Europe. It has operated continuously despite turbulent wartime events, as well as changes in national affiliation and political transformations. Currently, it continues the tradition of Prussian and German archaeological museum practice regarding Silesian archaeology, skillfully combining the heritage of past centuries with the present. This is evidenced not only by the artifacts but also by priceless archival documentation and photographs.