In the Stained Glass Museum, exhibition spaces intertwine with the old stained glass workshop, functioning since 1902. The visitors can observe the process of stained glass creation, a technique which remains unchanged since Middle Ages. The building where the Museum is located was designed especially for the needs of this oldest Polish stained glass workshop. Its structure too has remained unchanged since 1902: every chamber has its own function in the stained glass production process. This “living” Museum’s visiting trail runs through the house interiors that preserved its original character with the unique furnishing and workshop equipment. Our guests can also admire stained glass during their realisation process, presented on the glass easels of the workshop. The most interesting among them are usually exhibited in our café room to please our visitors’ eyes, while waiting or resting after the trip.
The workshop still operates and executes stained glass commissions – both for sacral and secular spaces. Hence, visitors are able to observe stained glass masters at work. For the last century, and still today, the workshop has been playing a significant cultural role, receiving distinctions at domestic and international exhibitions for the highest level of executed works. The most eminent Polish artists of the 20th century executed their projects here. This has been the birthplace of some outstanding examples of Polish stained glass art.
The exhibition spaces of the Museum present contemporary and historical stained glass, as well as stained glass projects, including those made by the most renowned artists of the Polish Art Nouveau period: Stanisław Wyspiański, Józef Mehoffer, Wojciech Jastrzębowski, Karol Frycz or Stefan Matejko (nephew of Jan Matejko), the long-term artistic director of the workshop in early 20th century. Each object here has its own history — as colourful as the glass pieces which they are made of. A noticeable example: one of our most precious pieces, the stained glass window “Saint Theresa with Angels”, designed by Józef Mehoffer, was executed in the summer of 1939 and started its journey to the installation space on September the 3rd. The transport however had to return back to the workshop due to the sudden outburst of the IIWorld War, the stained glass was stored in the workshop cellars, where it was found 60 years later. Visitors will be able to hear this and many other stories, told by our loquacious guides.
Workshops with masters
We have prepared a 3-hours exclusive stained glass workshops, designed especially for stained glass lovers, hobbyists, businesses (integration events) and many others. Workshops are run by our stained glass maters in Polish or English and can be translated into other languages upon request. Participants will receive all necessary materials and each of them, guided by our masters, will realise his/her own small stained glass object to take home as a unique souvenir of a special experience.
The tour includes:
– guided tour of the museum and workshop
– coffee break
– execution of stained glass under the masters’ guidance
– the ownership of the made stained glass
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