Wdzydze Kiszewskie

Wdzydze Kiszewskie is a beautifully located village in the Kashubia region, which boasts one of the most extraordinary museums in Poland. The Kashubian Ethnographic Park is a place for adults, children, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers.

The museum was established in 1906

It was then that its founders – Teodora and Izydor Gulgowski – collected items from the 18th century in a cottage from that period. This marked the beginning of a museum which today is 100 years old and spans 22 hectares! The park is situated by the beautiful Lake Gołuń. The natural surroundings only enhance the effect of the exhibits. And there is plenty to see – in this open-air museum, we can admire old cottages, a school, a smithy, and two impressive-sized windmills. Additionally, there are beautiful churches and manors, and even an inn. Everything is beautifully recreated, with over 50 objects on display. Some of them can be entered, allowing visitors to see how people lived and worked in the 17th, 18th, or 19th century. The buildings come from the Kashubia and Kociewie regions, and their architecture is very diverse.

To explore the entire park, a few hours are needed. If we encounter fewer people, we can truly feel as if we are in ancient times. All we can hear is the chirping of birds and the sounds of the lake. Cats that have made this place their home stroll along the paths with us.

The museum in Wdzydze Kiszewskie is open for visits from Monday to Sunday, from 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays and from 10 AM to 6 PM on weekends. Admission is free on Mondays; on other days, a standard ticket costs 17 PLN. When in Wdzydze, it's also worth climbing the observation tower, which offers a beautiful view of the Wdzydze lakes.

Author of the text and photos: Joanna Choma