PERMANENT GALLERIES 

There are presently seven permanent galleries in the main building of the National Museum in Warsaw. The Ancient Art Gallery presents artefacts of the cultures which had developed in the Mediterranean region. The Faras Gallery presents early Christian art, and the Medieval Art Gallery displays sculptures, panel paintings and gold smithery from all the regions historically connected with Poland in the Middle Ages as well as works executed in other important European centres. On the first and second floor, in the Polish and European Painting Galleries and the Decorative Arts Gallery, there are paintings, sculptures and examples of craftsmanship executed between the Middle Ages and the beginning of the 20th century.

The Miniature Cabinet is located near the Polish Painting Gallery.

The museum will be closed to the public from 18 July 2011 until Spring 2012 for refurbishment. Read more

STUDY COLLECTION

Apart from the permanent galleries, the National Museum in Warsaw is also home to an extensive study collection of objects which can not be displayed in the permanent galleries due to lack of space or which, for conservation reasons, can not be left on display over longer periods. The collections which, for the moment being, lack space in the permanent galleries include the Oriental, numismatic and contemporary design collections; the other group comprises all the works on paper - drawings, photographs and old prints. An exception from the latter group is presented in the pastels; these are shown to the public in the Pastel Cabinet on a rotating basis.

The study collection is stored in specially adapted storerooms, sometimes referred to as cabinets. Many of the objects are shown during temporary exhibitions (in our own Museum or at other venues). Apart from that, the study collections are usually available to scientists and students on an appointment basis.