National Museum in Poznań

The National Museum in Poznań (MNP), established in 1919 as the Wielkopolska Museum, is one of the key cultural institutions in Poland, with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Its founding was the result of the merger of several historical collections, including the Museum of Polish and Slavic Antiquities, which was established in 1857, and significant donations by Seweryn Mielżyński. The MNP is housed in a building that was previously the home of the Kaiser Friedrich Museum, designed by Karl Hinkeldeyn. After World War II, the museum underwent a series of transformations, including the loss of a significant number of its collections due to wartime actions. However, efforts to rebuild and develop the collections were quickly undertaken. In 1950, it was renamed the National Museum in Poznań, and in the following years, many new branches were opened, such as the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Museum of the History of the City of Poznań. Architecturally, the museum gained a modern wing in 2001, which evokes mixed feelings due to its controversial design. The museum's collections number in the tens of thousands of objects, including works of art from various eras. The MNP is also award-winning for its innovative museum projects, highlighting its role in promoting culture. Directors of the museum, such as Prof. Kazimierz Malinowski and Prof. Wojciech Suchocki, contributed to its development and modernization during different periods in the institution's history. In 2024, the museum won the Grand Prix in the Competition for the Museum Event of the Year in Wielkopolska "IZABELLA 2023". The National Museum in Poznań not only preserves and exhibits the rich cultural heritage of the region but also actively engages in cultural life by organizing exhibitions and artistic events.