Princes Czartoryski Museum, back
(Czartoryskich), part of National Museum of Kraków

The museum was founded in 1796 by Princess Izabela Czartoryska to preserve the Polish heritage in keeping with the Princess' motto: "The Past to the Future". The first objects in the so-called "Temple of Memory" were trophies commemorating the victory against the Turks at the siege of Vienna in 1683 (masterminded and led by Jan Sobieski). The Museum also features historical artifacts from the looted treasures of the Wawel Cathedral, the Royal Castle and other objects donated by polish families. Izabela also bought the treasures of the Dukes of Brabant, including his books, which are a particular highlight of the collection. Influenced by the Romantic artistic movement, she also acquired objects of sentimental significance that represented the glory and misery of human life. Among these were a chair owned by Shakespeare, ashes of El Cid and Ximena from the Cathedral of Burgos, and relics from Abelard and Heloise, and Petrach and Laura.

The collection was pillaged by the Germans during WWII. Many items were recovered, including a da Vinci and a Rembrandt. But Raphael's Portrait of a Youth is the most significant war loss. In all, 893 objects were lost.

Photo 828, May 2007

Princes Czartoryski Museum

Photo 1031, May 2007

Princes Czartoryski Museum, part, near Florianska Gate

Photo 1027, May 2007