Home History Palace Exhibitions Friends Associaton Gallery Tourist Info Contact

The Exhibitions

Treasures of Ponidzie - archaeological discoveries from Pełczyska

Archaeological exposition "Ancient tresasures of Ponidzie" is a result of excavations carried out by Archaelogical Institute of Warsaw University, in small village Pełczyska (Złota Commune).

The exhibits presented here are the evidence of colonization dated 7,500 years back. During three last centuries before Christ, Pełczyska was the reachest celtic settlement in the whole Małopolska, the centre of trade and craft, probably the centre of tribal authority.

The Celts brought here a number of civilization achievements, e.g. the knowledge of the potter's wheel or skill of making stave containers (the barrels for example), etc.

There are various aged objects presented in the archaelogical room: containers, agricultural tools, decorations - bronze ear decoration, bracelets, clothing elements - bronze and iron clasps, silver celtic coins, dice, silver buckle. The collection is guarded by reconstructed celtic warrior with full armament.

In the Grave Room, there are skeletal burials reconstructed, most of all a double burial of a man and a woman ("The Lovers from Pełczyska" from before 4,500 years), also unique skeletal burial of a woman deceased in the age of 30-35 from the second half of 1st century B.C., and the exact reconstruction of her face. It is the only image of a person living then on Polish lands.

History of Wielopolski's Estate

In the former office, also known as 'The Pantry', the following exhibits are showed: pictures of Ordynats, school reports of Aleksander Wielopolski, palace inventory from 1863, genealogical tree of Myszkowskis and Wielopolskis families, official and private letters of Aleksander Wielopolski and Alberta Wielopolska (sister of Zygmunt - the last Ordynat), reference letters for servants, kitchen dishes etc. There is also a collection of books with the original stamp "The Myszkowski Estate Library" given by anonymous donor.

'Pińczów Republic of 1944' House of Memory

Pińczów Republic was a free partisan homeland. Arised at the turn of August of 1944, about 1000 square kilometers big, in the boundary of former Pińczów Disctrict. The Republic survived for about a month only, but it had a great power of influence. The partisans were taking over the post offices, the railway, commune ofices, disarming the German sentries.

The House of Memory was the first exhibition in our Centre. It was created in 2004, sixty years after collapse of Pińczów Republic.

There are collected: military (revolvers, submashine guns, signal guns, flare pistols, grenades, anti tank mines, helmets, artillery shells, gas masks, mess kits, bagnets, etc.) and a large collection of documents (kennkarts, confiscation tickets, letters, verification certificates, occupation leaflets, photos, maps, disclosure testimonials, songs and poems.

The latest exhibits are the reminders of legendary commander Jan Pszczoła (alias Wojnar, Janczar), given by his son.

Regional Gallery

Permanent parts of Regional Gallery are profiles of writers connected with Ponidzie: Józef Morton, Zdzisław Antolski, Henryk Kawiorski, Adam Ochwanowski. Works of native creators (painting, sculpting, embroidery etc.)

The newest exhibition shows a person of Wojtek Bellon, leader of the "Wolna Grupa Bukowina" band.

The exhibition is enriched with antique objects: over one hundred years old piano, a record player, a camera, a writing mashine, a radio, straw shoes etc., also untypical wreaths from harvest festivals.

In the palace chapel, there are icons of Jadwiga Wierzbicka presented. Mrs. Wierzbicka has graduated school of icon painting at the Jesuits in Cracow.

Geographical Study of Ponidzie

The Pińczów land since over 45 years is an research object of scientist from Geographical and Regional Study Institute of Warsaw University.

The geographical exhibition contains research results of natural environment, diversity of plant cover, relief, water ratio, climate, soils, circulation of elements, also the works describing agricultural, social and economic geography.

Next to maps, charts, publications and pictures, there are minerals showed and described: gypsum, limestone, marl and bedrock.

Agricultural Tradition of 19th and 20th century

In the park, next to the school, several agricultural mashines and devices are presented. In the manorial granary, there is an inside of the rural hut (end of 19th and first half of 20th century) reconstructed. A bread oven, elements of bedroom and peasant tavern, furniture and devices used in domestic and farm activities from over one hundred years and more.