Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRL

Warszawa, mazowieckie

Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRL

The former Mokotów Prison: historic sites of repression and objects linked to the independence underground and opposition in communist Poland.

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About

Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRL

At 37 Rakowiecka Street, a prison complex survives whose history began under Russian rule. It was built between 1902 and 1904. In the post-war period it held soldiers of the independence underground, followed in later decades by democratic opposition activists. Today, its former rooms and sections of prison wall form part of a museum devoted to their lives.

The execution cell and Wall of Death connect the account with sites of repression. Surviving objects lead to individual biographies: Hieronim Dekutowski's uniform jacket, Józef Rządzki's bread chess pieces and a comb recovered from “Łączka” beside Powązki Military Cemetery. Documents, family keepsakes and archaeological finds offer different ways of reconstructing the lives of people whom the authorities tried to erase from public memory.

Exhibitions about Fighting Solidarity and martial law explore opposition in the Polish People's Republic. Within the authentic space of Pavilion XII, an installation of leaflets links the floors, while radio announcements accompany accounts of internment and political imprisonment. An underground print shop display presents equipment used to circulate publications beyond censorship.

The museum was established in 2016, and the last prisoners left the complex in 2017. Adapting the buildings to their new functions involves conservation research and preparation of a permanent exhibition. The historic interiors themselves remain evidence of how the prison operated.

Visits currently include cells in the former Pavilion XII, exhibitions in the former General Pavilion, and the former prison courtyard. The museum is still being organised and construction is ongoing, so the tour route changes frequently.

Audience and visit conditions

Recommended age

  • 13+ years

  • Information

    Entire venue · 0-12 years

    The museum is recommended for visitors aged 13 and over. Children under 13 may enter with parental consent. This applies to all exhibitions.

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Opening hours

Opening hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00–18:00
Wednesday
10:00–18:00
Thursday
10:00–18:00
Friday
10:00–18:00
Saturday
10:00–18:00
Sunday
10:00–18:00

Guided visits only, in Polish or English. Guided tours in English always require advance booking, including at weekends and for individual visitors. Tuesday-Friday: reservations required for groups and individuals. Saturday-Sunday: tours at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00; individual visitors joining a Polish-language tour do not need to book, groups of more than 10 must reserve. Telephone and email bookings are handled Monday-Friday, 8:30-16:00.

Tickets

Visits

Free admission
free

Admission is free until the permanent exhibition opens. Guided visits only.

Exhibitions (1)
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRLTemporary exhibitionFor the Soul and Character of the Polish Nation. The Freedom and Independence AssociationA temporary exhibition on post-war underground activity and WiN members, presented until 31 December 2026.
Exhibits and points (8)
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRLButtons from the grave of “Zapora” and his menGerman uniform buttons recovered with the remains of Polish underground soldiers.
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRL“Zapora’s” uniform jacketA personal relic of Hieronim Dekutowski, a commander of Home Army and WiN units.
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRLExecution cellThe room that once held the prison gallows, associated with General August Emil Fieldorf, known as “Nil”.
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRLWall of DeathA surviving section of prison wall associated with executions in prisoners’ accounts and with commemorations today.
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRLUnderground print shop displayPrinting equipment and materials showing how Fighting Solidarity published outside state censorship.
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRLJózef Rządzki’s chess piecesA prison chess set made from bread by Józef Rządzki, known as “Boryna”.
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRLScratched comb from “Łączka”An object recovered from a secret burial site, with marks interpreted as a possible calendar.
  • Ilustracja Muzeum Żołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych PRL“Rain of leaflets” installationAn installation linking the floors of Pavilion XII through the theme of freedom of speech.
  • +5See remaining items
Contact

Address

ul. Rakowiecka 37
02-521 Warszawa
Getting there
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Location

Accessibility

The site is not adapted for visitors with disabilities, particularly blind visitors and wheelchair users. Part of the visit takes place outdoors. A waiting room, toilet and lockers are available; there is no visitor parking. Visits include cells in the former Pavilion XII, exhibitions in the former General Pavilion and the courtyard. As the museum is still being organised and construction is ongoing, the tour route changes frequently.

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