POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

The Museum of the History of Polish Jews was opened in October 2014, at a symbolic spot: the very heart of a once thriving district inhabited mainly by Jews, and during the war transformed by the Germans into a ghetto. 

The Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, designed by Natan Rapaport, was erected here in 1948. The Museum building rose on the plot located amongst the residential buildings of Muranów, reconstructed after the end of the war.

Designed by a Finnish architectural office Lahdelma & Mahlamäki in 2005, it reflects the simple shape of the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes and its dynamic relief in the centre. The name of the Museum engraved on glass panels on the outer wall – Polin, which translates from Hebrew as “rest here!” or ‘Poland” – refers to the Jewish legend about the arrival of first Jews to Poland. In the main hall, dynamic, curved walls divide the building along the east-west axis, symbolizing a gap in the 1000-year long history of Polish Jews. Simultaneously, the monumental hall, with large glazing opening onto the park, reminds us that the history has not yet ended, and that POLIN Museum is the museum of life. It also serves as a link between the past, the present and the future – symbolized by a bridge on the first floor level, connecting the two halves of the building.

Consequently, the mission of the Museum, is to recall and preserve the memory of the history of Polish Jews, contributing to the mutual understanding and respect amongst Poles and Jews as well as other societies of Europe and the world. It concentrates on promoting the idea of tolerance in Polish society and building bridges between different cultures.

POLIN Museum is a modern cultural institution – a narrative museum which presents a 1000-year history of Polish Jews. It is also a place for meetings and conversations for all of those eager to learn more about the past and present Jewish culture, to confront the stereotypes, and to face the perils of today’s world such as xenophobia and nationalistic prejudices.