Museum of the Ziemia Szprotawska Region

The Museum of the Szprotawa Land, located in the historic Żagańska Gate in Szprotawa, was established in 2004 on the initiative of the Lower Silesian Forests Society, which had been collecting exhibits since 2002. The museum aims to protect and promote local cultural heritage, provide regional and environmental education, and offer tourist information. It employs volunteer staff and a municipal caretaker, and its activities are integrated into the cultural and tourist landscape of the region. The museum is named after Dr. Felix Matuszkiewicz, a local historian and researcher, continuing the traditions of local museology. The institution comprises four departments: archives, archaeological-historical, natural, and tourism. Among its valuable exhibits are a 16th-century combat cleaver, the oldest town chronicle, a chest from the carpenters' guild, and urns from the Lusatian culture. The museum collaborates with other institutions in the region and serves as a museum facility for nearby municipalities as well. An interesting aspect is the museum's involvement in efforts to protect historical monuments, particularly in the context of their removal due to the law on the communist regime. The museum publishes the results of its research in the press and on its website, conducting studies on topics such as the Silesian Ramparts, Szprotawa Castle, and the Battle of Przemków. In 2020, museum staff discovered the continuation of unknown linear stone structures near Międzylesie, marking a significant step in understanding local history. The Museum of the Szprotawa Land is a unique institution in the Lower Silesian Forests region, serving as an important destination for tourists, schools, and history enthusiasts.