Each Night of Museums in Krakow is a great opportunity to discover the city's most important monuments in a completely new setting. Let's start with the place that for centuries was the heart of Polish statehood.

The Wawel Royal Castle is a true pearl of Polish national heritage and a must-see on the Night of Museums. During this special evening you can admire the royal chambers, the crown treasury and the armory in magical night lighting. Few people know that under the castle there is a system of caves, the most famous of which - the Dragon's Cave - is connected with the legendary Wawel dragon. According to legend, the monster terrorized the residents of Cracow, devouring cattle and young girls, until the clever cobbler Skuba defeated him by tossing a sulfur-stuffed sheep. Special shows and re-enactments referring to this legend are often organized during Museum Night. Wawel Castle has been the residence of Polish monarchs since the 14th century, and in its crypts rest kings and national heroes, which gives the place a unique atmosphere during a night visit.

Near Wawel, in the heart of the Old Town, are the Cloth Hall - one of the most recognizable symbols of Krakow. The MNK Cloth Hall is a branch of the National Museum located on the first floor of this 14th-century market hall. During Museum Night, you can admire here an impressive collection of Polish paintings from the 19th century, including monumental works by Jan Matejko. Particularly noteworthy is 'The Prussian Homage,' a huge canvas depicting the fief tribute paid by Prussian Prince Albrecht Hohenzollern to King Sigismund I the Old in 1525. Interestingly, Matejko included his daughter in the painting as a figure holding the royal scepter. Night lighting adds a whole new dimension to these works, bringing out details often unnoticeable during the day.

The headquarters of the National Museum in Krakow on Aleje Trzech Wieszczów is another place that offers a unique experience during Museum Night. In 2023, the museum saw a record 21% increase in visitors, reaching 1.65 million visitors. During the night tour, you can enjoy both permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions prepared for the occasion. One of the most valuable exhibits is Leonardo da Vinci's 'Lady with an Ermine,' which is now housed in the museum's branch, the Princes Czartoryski Museum. This portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, mistress of Milan's Duke Ludovico Sforza, has a fascinating history - it was hidden from the Nazis during World War II and later found in the villa of Governor Hans Frank in Bavaria. Night lighting gives this masterpiece a mystical feel, highlighting the subtle play of light and shadow.

The Princes Czartoryski Museum is a real treasure trove of European painting. In addition to the aforementioned 'Lady with an Ermine', you will find Rembrandt's 'Landscape with a Merciful Samaritan' and priceless national memorabilia. A little-known fact - the collection was created thanks to Duchess Izabela Czartoryska, who, after Poland lost its independence in the 18th century, decided to collect national memorabilia with the idea of 'Past - Future'. Special lectures on the history of the collection and the dramatic fate of the artifacts during the world wars are often held here during Museum Night.

Museum Night is the perfect time to discover the less obvious but equally fascinating faces of Krakow. Some of the most interesting museums are hidden underground or in former industrial facilities, telling stories that remain in the shadows of the famous monuments on a daily basis.

The Underground Market is one of the most unusual museums in Krakow, hidden 4 meters below the surface of the city's main square. During Museum Night, you can go under the cobblestones of the Main Square and take a fascinating journey back in time. The route takes you through medieval structures, remnants of old merchant stalls and fragments of the city's oldest buildings. Most impressive is the preserved wooden road from the 12th century, on which the inhabitants of early medieval Krakow walked. A night tour of the site has a unique atmosphere - dim lighting, sounds of the ancient city and holographic reconstructions transport visitors to distant times. Few people know that during the archaeological work preceding the establishment of the museum, more than 700,000 artifacts were discovered, including unique objects of daily use, jewelry and toys from nearly a thousand years ago.

Oskar Schindler's 'Enamel' factory is a place that gained worldwide fame thanks to Steven Spielberg's film "Schindler's List. During the Museums' Night, you can visit the former factory premises, which now house the exhibition 'Krakow - the time of occupation 1939-1945'. The exhibition in an extremely evocative way presents everyday life in the occupied city, the fate of Krakow's Jews and the story of Schindler himself, who saved some 1,200 people from the Holocaust. A little-known fact is that Schindler initially came to Krakow as an agent of German intelligence and only with time, seeing the cruelty of the Nazis, decided to help the Jews. During a night tour, the atmosphere of the factory becomes even more poignant - twilight, sounds and multimedia installations enhance the emotional reception of the exhibition.

Krakow Museum - The Krzysztofory Palace is the main seat of the Krakow Museum, located in a baroque palace on the Main Square. During the Museums' Night you can see here the fascinating exhibition 'Krakow from the beginning, without end', which tells the history of the city in an innovative way. A special attraction are Krakow's famous nativity scenes - richly decorated, multi-level constructions combining Christmas motifs with elements of Krakow's architecture. This unique tradition has been included on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is interesting to note that in the basement of the palace there is a mysterious stone statue known as the 'Swiatowid of Cracow' - a puzzling artifact whose origin and meaning are still disputed by scientists.

The Museum of Engineering and Technology is a treat for lovers of old technology. It is housed in the historic buildings of Krakow's first streetcar depot from the late 19th century. During Museum Night you can admire the collection of vintage vehicles here, including unique streetcars, cars and motorcycles. Particularly interesting are the interactive exhibits that allow you to understand the principles of various equipment. Few people know that the museum's collection includes the Polish Mikrus MR-300 car from the 1950s, of which only 1,728 were produced. A night tour of this place has a special charm - the old vehicles in the dim light look like living testimonies of bygone eras, and the opportunity to run some of the exhibits makes the history of technology literally come alive before our eyes.

The last part of our night tour of Krakow's museums leads to places that preserve the memory of the dramatic events of the 20th century and present fascinating technological achievements. These less obvious, but equally valuable points on the map of the Night of Museums allow us to look at the city's history from a completely different perspective.

The General Emil Fieldorf 'Nil' Home Army Museum is a unique place dedicated to the largest underground army of World War II. During the Museums' Night you can learn about the history of the Polish underground state and the heroic struggle of Poles against the German occupiers. The museum is housed in former Austrian barracks buildings and uses modern multimedia means to present exhibits. Particularly moving are the personal mementos of Home Army soldiers - letters, photos, elements of uniforms. A little-known fact is that the museum's collection includes a unique collection of underground press and prints, including copies of newspapers printed under conditions of extreme danger. During the night tour, meetings are often organized with the last living witnesses of those times, which gives the visit a unique, emotional dimension.

The Polish Aviation Museum is a real treat for aviation enthusiasts. Located on the grounds of the former Rakowice-Czyżyny airport, one of the oldest military airfields in Europe, it has an impressive collection of more than 200 aircraft. During the Night of Museums you can admire both Polish designs and aircraft from around the world, including unique specimens from the First and Second World Wars. Particularly valuable is the Polish PZL P.11c fighter - one of only two surviving copies of this aircraft in the world, which defended the Polish sky in September 1939. Another fascinating story is the origin of the Soviet Mi-4 helicopter, which was secretly handed over to the CIA by Polish pilot Henryk Osierd as part of an intelligence operation in 1966. The nighttime illumination of the open-air exhibition gives the aircraft an almost mystical feel, while demonstrations and presentations specially prepared for the occasion allow visitors to better understand the secrets of aviation technology.

Comparing all the museums on display, it is worth noting their diversity and complementarity. The Wawel Royal Castle and the Cloth Hall represent classic, monumental museums, offering access to priceless works of art and national memorabilia. They are places besieged by tourists, with extensive infrastructure and professional service in many languages. Schindler's Factory and the Underground Market, on the other hand, are examples of a modern approach to presenting history, with an emphasis on immersive experiences and multimedia forms of communication. The Aviation Museum and the Engineering Museum are distinguished by their unique technical collections and the possibility of direct contact with the exhibits, making them particularly attractive to families with children and technology enthusiasts.

In terms of affordability, most museums during Museum Night offer free admission or significantly reduced ticket prices, which is an additional incentive to visit. However, it's worth remembering that the most popular sites, such as Wawel Castle or Schindler's Factory, can be extremely crowded at this time, so it's a good idea to start your visit with less obvious locations, such as the Aviation Museum or the Home Army Museum.

Museum Night in Krakow is not only an opportunity to visit exhibitions, but also to participate in special events - concerts, workshops, shows or lectures. Each of the featured museums prepares a unique program for the occasion, which allows you to look at their collections from a new perspective. It is this diversity and richness of the offer that makes Krakow's Night of Museums attract thousands of visitors every year, both locals and tourists, becoming one of the most important cultural events in the city's calendar.