The Family Home of the Holy Father John Paul II in Wadowice

The Family Home of the Holy Father John Paul II Museum in Wadowice is housed in a historic tenement building that changed owners at the beginning of the 20th century, including the vice-mayor of Wadowice and a confectioner. The Wojtyła family apartment, where Pope John Paul II lived, has been preserved with its original furnishings, including a tiled kitchen stove and family portraits. In 2009, the museum's expansion began, quadrupling the exhibition space to over 1,200 m² by utilizing the basement and attic. Modern multimedia and thematic arrangement of exhibits bring closer the life of Karol Wojtyła, from childhood to his papacy. The museum was opened on April 9, 2014, after renovation works lasting from 2010 to 2014. The museum's mission is to disseminate knowledge about the life and teachings of John Paul II, celebrating his legacy as a model of an open and respected human being. In 2014, the museum was visited by about 250,000 tourists annually. The collections include documents related to his career, photos from his pontificate by Adam Bujak, as well as items related to his passions, such as skis and manuscripts. The exhibition focuses on his life in Wadowice, his education, and priestly activities, showing the pope's strong ties to his hometown. Designed by the Kłaput Project Studio, the museum has gained a modern character while preserving its historical context, making it an important point on Poland's cultural map.