The Princes Czartoryski Museum in Krakow

The Princes Czartoryski Museum in Krakow, founded by Princess Izabela Czartoryska in 1801, is one of the oldest museums in Poland. Its origins trace back to the Puławy collections, which were partially dispersed after the fall of the November Uprising. In 1870, Prince Władysław Czartoryski moved the collection to Krakow, where, like the Czartoryski library, it was made accessible to the public. The museum, initially housed in the Municipal Arsenal, gradually expanded its complex, acquiring new spaces through the purchase of buildings on Pijarska Street. Between 1879 and 1901, architects such as Maurycy Ouradou transformed the palace into a palace-museum complex, adding Renaissance elements and decorative courtyards. After World War II, the museum was incorporated into the National Museum in Krakow, and the collection was managed by the Princes Czartoryski Foundation until 1991. In 2010, a comprehensive renovation of the institution began, and it remained closed until the end of 2019. After the completion of the works, the museum gained a new exhibition space, making the collection, including masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine" and Rembrandt's "Landscape with the Good Samaritan," more accessible. An added value of the museum is its rich history and connections to Polish cultural heritage, emphasized by the diversity of the collected works, ranging from paintings to militaria. In 2016, the collection was sold to the State Treasury for 100 million euros, a significant moment in the museum's history, as its holdings were integrated into the National Museum in Krakow. The museum's courtyard received a modern glass roof, improving visitor comfort and enabling the organization of new exhibitions. The museum has become a symbol not only of local culture but also of national identity, with a rich educational and social offering.