Katyn Museum (Muzeum Katyńskie)

The basics

Small but impactful, the Katyn Museum is a window into a tragic period of Polish history. The museum is free to enter, and while most signs are in Polish, audio guides are available to rent in various languages. Exhibits include many items excavated from mass graves on the site of the Katyn massacre, so the museum may not be appropriate for all children.

Things to know before you go

• The museum is an important stop for travelers interested in learning more about World War II.
• Guided tours of the Katyn Museum can be arranged in advance.
• The building is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

How to get there

The Katyn Museum is located at Jana Jezioranskiego 4, a 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) walk from the Warsaw Old Town. A nearby tram stop, Park Traugutta 4, can be reached on line 1, 4, 6, 18, 23, 28, 41, or 75. If you’re coming from Old Town to the Katyn Museum, it’s possible to use the Bulwar Karskiego, a car-free path that follows the Vistula River.

When to get there

Open Wednesday through Sunday, the Katyn Museum is rarely crowded. If you’re planning to rent an audio guide, the self-guided tour generally takes around 45 minutes. Since there’s plenty to see in the surrounding Warsaw Citadel, however, it’s worth setting aside time to explore the historic cannons, tunnels, and art gallery.

More World War II Sites in Warsaw

Other Warsaw sights and cultural centers focused on World War II history include the Warsaw Uprising Museum (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego), which remembers the local struggle against German occupation, and the Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom, built inside a former Gestapo headquarters. Throughout the city, look for World War II monuments; one of the most moving is the Maly Powstaniec, dedicated to children who fought in the Warsaw Uprising.