Museum of Musical Instruments in Poznań

The Museum of Musical Instruments in Poznań, a branch of the National Museum in Poznań, is the only institution of its kind and scale in Poland and the third largest in Europe. It is located on the Old Market Square in three historic townhouses, including the Grodzicki Townhouse. The museum was founded in 1945 by Zdzisław Szulc and has been organizing public exhibitions since 1949. Its collection comprises around 2,000 exhibits, including a rich assortment of string instruments, pianos, and folk instruments from Poland as well as other continents: Oceania, America, Africa, and Asia. Notable exhibits include a 2,000-year-old Celtic carnyx, a 3,000-year-old ceramic rattle from the Lusatian culture, an 18th-century two-manual harpsichord, and a harp from 1788 crafted by Jean-Henri Naderman. The museum houses one of the largest collections of bagpipes in Poland and a unique exhibition of Lamai instruments. The extensive collection also includes memorabilia of Frédéric Chopin, such as the piano he played at the Radziwiłł Palace. The exhibits are divided into four categories: professional instruments, folk instruments, non-European instruments, and sheet music, all displayed across 19 halls. On the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the proclamation of "Dąbrowski's Mazurka" as the national anthem, a plaque commemorating the creators of Polish anthems was unveiled in 2020, adding a cultural dimension to the venue. The museum also inspires artists, such as the poet Bogusław Kogut, who dedicated a poem to it. The Museum of Musical Instruments combines architectural, cultural, and historical significance, making it an important landmark on Poland's musical map.