The Museum of Crafts in Krosno

The Museum of Crafts in Krosno is housed in the historic tenement house known as "The House Under the Clock," built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries for Michał Mięsowicz, a watchmaker and clock manufacturer. From 1901 to 1938, the building was home to the First National Tower Clock Factory, which produced approximately 280 mechanisms. The idea of establishing the museum emerged in the 1980s thanks to the initiative of the Guild of Various Crafts. After the authorities of Krosno approved the request to hand over the building, its renovation began, lasting from 1984 to 1987. The museum's exhibition focuses on the history of crafts in southeastern Poland, showcasing various fields such as carpentry, blacksmithing, watchmaking, tailoring, weaving, shoemaking, and hairdressing. The museum also features unique exhibits, including a 17th-century guild chest. In 2006, the museum expanded its activities by opening the "Piwnica PodCieniami" (Cellar Under the Arcades), which hosts temporary exhibitions. The Farna Tower, the bell tower of the Collegiate Basilica of the Holy Trinity, is also accessible to visitors. The museum is open year-round, closed on Mondays from October to April, and admission is charged. It is an important cultural and historical site that not only documents local crafts but also engages the community in preserving the cultural heritage of the region.