In the nineteenth century, the building that now houses the museum changed its function dramatically. The Austrians, who were then stationed in Krakow, organized a prison there. Paradoxically, the prison gained the name of a monastery located there and was known as the prison of St. Michael.

After the end of World War II, the prison was closed and the Archaeological Museum was established in its place. The biggest attraction of the museum is the statue of Światowid - a pagan god with four faces. The statue dates from the 9th and 10th centuries, and in 1848 it was excavated from the Zbrucz River.