Start your journey in the footsteps of Kielce's culture at the National Museum, which is housed in one of the best-preserved residences from the Vasa era - the former Cracow Bishops' Palace. The history of this place dates back to 1908, when the Kielce Branch of the Polish National Society was founded. It was then, on October 8 to be exact, that the first exhibit was registered - flint wood from Miedziana Góra. This inconspicuous beginning laid the foundation for an impressive collection, which today includes works of painting, handicrafts, folk art, as well as exhibits related to literature, archeology and nature.

It is worth knowing that the current name of the institution was not its first - in 1936, after the Świętokrzyska Exhibition in Warsaw, the institution was renamed the Świętokrzyskie Museum. After World War II, in 1945, the museum resumed its activities in a new location - Kamienica pod Trzema Herbami. Today, the National Museum in Kielce manages five branches, including the Henryk Sienkiewicz Palace or the Museum of the Dialogue of Cultures.

When visiting the museum's main headquarters, two main exhibitions are a must-see: 'The Ninth Centuries of Kielce' on the first floor and the 'Historical Interiors Exposition' on the second floor. Especially the latter delights with original interiors from the 17th and 18th centuries, which take visitors back to the glory days of the bishop's residence. Among the exhibits one can admire precious paintings, period furniture and unique architectural elements that have stood the test of time.

Not far from the Bishops' Palace is the Museum of Kielce History, which is housed in a building with an equally fascinating, though much darker history. The former prison, used successively by the tsarist invaders, the Nazis and the communists, today serves as a space where the history of the city and its inhabitants is presented. Particularly moving are the expositions devoted to the national uprisings and the resistance movement in the Świętokrzyskie region.

The Museum of Kielce History is distinguished from other institutions by its modern approach to the presentation of collections. Multimedia exhibitions with 3D screens make history more accessible and engaging, especially for younger visitors. It's a place where you can not only view the exhibits behind glass, but also actively participate in discovering the city's past. Children will especially appreciate the opportunity to try on historical headgear and take souvenir photos.

Comparing the two museums, it is worth noting that the National Museum focuses more on art and material culture, presenting exhibits in historic palace interiors. Ticket prices are slightly higher here, but this is compensated for by the richness of the collections and the prestige of the place. The Museum of the History of Kielce, on the other hand, relies on interactivity and multimedia presentations, which makes it more attractive for families with children. Tickets are cheaper here, and the exposition is more accessible to people who are not avid art lovers.

Kielce boasts a unique in the country Museum of Toys and Play, which is now located at Plac Wolności. However, it has not always been located here - it previously operated on Kosciuszko Street. This unique institution is a real paradise for children and a sentimental journey back in time for adults. The collection includes both historical toys and contemporary ones, creating a fascinating story about the evolution of children's entertainment over the decades.

The Museum of Toys and Play is not just a place where exhibits are viewed from behind glass. It's a space full of interaction, where the youngest can touch history literally and figuratively. Particularly popular are the workshops where children can make their own traditional toys while learning about old craft techniques. Among the exhibits you will find dolls from different eras, miniature furniture, trains, cars, teddy bears and many other items that shaped the childhood of successive generations of Poles.

An interesting feature is the collection of folk toys, which reflect the culture and traditions of the Świętokrzyskie region. These simple objects, made of wood, clay or straw, despite their simplicity, impress with their ingenuity and craftsmanship. Note the rocking horses, clay whistles or wooden knockers, which centuries ago made the time of the children of the surrounding villages more pleasant.

For those who would like to delve deeper into the atmosphere of the old Świętokrzyskie countryside, a visit to the Museum of the Kielce Countryside, or more precisely to its branch - the Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia - will be an invaluable experience. This open-air museum is located a dozen kilometers from the center of Kielce, where dozens of original buildings from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries have been collected. Wooden cottages, windmills, blacksmith shops, oil mills and other structures have been brought from various corners of the Świętokrzyskie region and painstakingly reconstructed.

Wandering through the Ethnographic Park, one can feel like traveling back in time. The interiors of the buildings are equipped with original equipment, furniture and tools, which allow you to understand what the daily life of the region's inhabitants looked like before the era of electricity and modern technology. Particularly interesting is the mansion from Suchedniow, which represents the seat of wealthy nobility, contrasting with simple peasant cottages.

It's worth knowing that the Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia is seasonal - in winter only outdoor exhibitions are available, with no possibility of visiting the interiors. So when planning a visit, it's worth choosing a warmer time of year, when you can fully experience the charm of the place. Ticket prices are affordable, which, combined with its picturesque location and rich educational offer, makes the open-air museum an attractive destination for family trips.

Comparing the Museum of Toys and Play with the Museum of the Kielce Village, it is worth noting that the former is more compact, located in the center of the city and available all year round. This is ideal for a shorter visit or inclement weather. The Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia, on the other hand, requires more time and good weather, but offers a more comprehensive experience - not only the exhibits, but the entire environment here creates a coherent story about the past. What both places have in common, however, is their educational character and attention to preserving the cultural heritage of the Świętokrzyskie region.

The Świętokrzyskie region is a real paradise for geology enthusiasts - its history goes back more than 500 million years, and the rocks found in the area are among the oldest in Poland. No wonder, then, that in Kielce there are as many as two institutions dedicated to this fascinating field of science: Geonature Kielce - Geoeducation Center and the Geological Museum of the National Geological Institute.

The Geoeducation Center, located on Daleszycka Street, is a modern educational facility that brings the geological history of the region closer in an accessible way. At the heart of the facility is a multimedia exhibition that takes visitors on a journey through successive geological eras. The biggest attraction, especially for younger visitors, is the 5D simulation capsule, where one can take a virtual journey to the interior of the Earth. It's an experience combining image, sound and movement that remains in the memory for a long time.

It is worth noting the exhibition dedicated to Devonian coral reefs, which formed millions of years ago in the area of today's Kielce region. It's hard to believe that the region we associate today with the Świętokrzyskie Mountains was once the bottom of a warm, tropical sea! The center also displays an impressive collection of fossils, minerals and rocks characteristic of the Świętokrzyskie region.

Interestingly, the Geoeducation Center is located on the site of the former Wietrznia quarry, which itself is a valuable inanimate nature reserve. So after visiting the exhibition, it is worth taking a walk along the didactic path that leads around the excavation. There you can see the exposed rock layers and look for fossils yourself.

For those who would like to deepen their geological knowledge, the Geological Museum of the National Geological Institute on Zgoda Street will be invaluable. This facility, although less interactive than the Geoeducation Center, offers a more detailed and scientific approach to the subject. The collection includes thousands of specimens of rocks, minerals and fossils, not only from the Świętokrzyskie region, but from all over Poland and the world.

Particularly valuable are the paleontological collections, including fossils of trilobites, ammonites or belemnites - organisms that lived in the seas covering Poland millions of years ago. The museum also presents the history of mining and geology as a science, which makes it interesting not only for Earth science enthusiasts, but also for those interested in the history of technology and industry.

Comparing the two facilities, one can see that the Geoeducation Center is aimed at a wider audience, including families with children. The state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits and 5D simulator mean that even those without specialized knowledge can easily absorb the content presented. Ticket prices here are slightly higher, but this is compensated for by the wealth of interactive attractions. The PGI Geological Museum, on the other hand, is a place for more discerning audiences who appreciate a scientific approach and a wealth of exhibits. Tickets are cheaper, and the facility itself has a more intimate character.

It is worth noting that the two institutions complement each other perfectly - a visit to the Geoeducation Center can awaken an interest in geology, which can then be deepened at the Geological Museum. For a complete picture of the geological richness of the Świętokrzyskie region, it is worth visiting both places, as well as taking a trip to nearby inanimate nature reserves such as Kadzielnia or Ślichowice, where you can see with your own eyes the rock formations described in the museums.

Whether you're passionate about geology or just beginning your adventure in the field, Kielce's geological institutions offer a fascinating journey through time - a journey that allows you to understand how the Earth and life on it have been shaped over hundreds of millions of years. This is knowledge that changes perspective and teaches humility in the face of the power of nature and the passage of time.