National Museum in Wrocław

Lonely Planet review

The National Museum in Wrocław is a treasure-trove of fine art on three floors, with extensive permanent collections and a stunning skylit atrium. It's a lot to take in, but the café on the 1st floor is good for alleviating museum fatigue.

The Silesian art collection is a highlight of the museum. Medieval stone sculpture is displayed on the ground floor; exhibits include the Romanesque tympanum from the portal of the Church of St Mary Magdalene, depicting the Dormition (or Assumption) of the Virgin Mary, and 14th-century sarcophagi from the Church of SS Vincent and James. The medieval wooden sculpture on the 1st floor features some powerful Gothic triptychs and statues of saints. Also on this floor are collections of Silesian paintings, ceramics, silverware and furnishings from the 16th to 19th centuries.

The 2nd floor holds Polish art, mainly paintings, from the 17th century to the present. The collection covers most of Poland's big names, including Jacek Malczewski, Stanisław Wyspiański, Witkacy (Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz) and Jan Matejko; be prepared for moody portraits and massive battle scenes. Among the modern painters, Władysław Hasior, Eugeniusz Stankiewicz-Get and Tadeusz Makowski are names to look out for, especially for their humorous takes on war and religion.