Night of Museums 2016 – what to see, where to go? Our best ideas

Many people find museums boring – they lost their faith in cultural institutions after one uneventful school trip to a museum a long time ago… If you happen to be one of them, make use of the unique possibility that you have once a year. During the Night of Museums in May, Polish people can visit them paying a small fee or for free. There is only one condition – it has to be after dusk!

Warsaw & Lindley’s Filters

The Night of Museums includes non-museum facilities as well. For years Warsaw Water Filters have been one of the biggest attractions on this very special night. The facility used to provide clean water to Varsovians back in the 19^th century, but now it has been on the list of antiquities for many decades. Closed to public throughout the year, in May Filters amaze guests with the magical underground water of tunnels, mazes and arches.

May 14^th, 2016 is your chance to visit Warsaw Water Filters. Please bring your ID with a photograph and be early – the number of guests is limited. Admission is free of charge.

Rzeszów & The Museum of Bedtime Cartoons

Rzeszów in the South of Poland is home to a museum dedicated to the youngest or… those who still feel young. During the communist era Poland had a thriving cartoon industry, and its products aired every evening around 7 pm. If you come from a country neighbouring Poland, you may be familiar with such legendary figures as Bolek and Lolek or Reksio the Dog. Pay them a visit in Rzeszów.

May 14^th, 2016 is also the day you can visit the Museum of Bedtime Cartoons. Admission is free.

Katowice & The Silesian Museum

This may be one of the most mainstream museums on our list, but visiting it at night has an extra advantage. This Saturday you will be able to go up its observation tower and see the beautiful panorama of Katowice after the sunset. The programme contains more attractions, but even if you visit the museum’s central hall and admire touching minimalist installations, it will leave you speechless for the rest of the evening.

May 14^th, 2016 marks your opportunity to admire Katowice at night. Admission to The Silesian Museum during the Night of Museums is free of charge.

Bydgoszcz & The Museum of Soap and History of Dirt

You have read correctly – this institution focuses on presenting the brief history of dirt and how it could be combated over the past centuries. You can practice your laundry skills with the use of an outdated washboard or visit medieval baths, but you will always leave this place with a custom-made nice-smelling bar of soap. What is more to want in life?

May 21^st, 2016 is the date for celebrating the Night of Museums in Bydgoszcz this year. Due to high interest you will need to book your ticket in advance. The fee on this special day is extra low – PLN 6.

Gdynia & The Emigration Museum

Many of you are expats yourselves – each of you holds a unique story which brought you to Poland. If you want to know about the reasons for which Polish people have been leaving their homeland since the 19^th century up to this date, this is a place to go. The museum was opened one year ago, so it is a brand new spot on Gdynia’s map.

May 21^st, 2016 will hold a silent disco in the museum’s premises. The admission fee will be symbolic – just PLN 1 for viewing the permanent exhibition.

Do you have your favourite Polish museum? If there are places that you want to revisit during the special night or when you have some time off – let us know.

Photo source: grotos