Museum of Independence Traditions

Muzeum Tradycji Niepodległościowych in Łódź has its main headquarters at ul. Gdańska 13, in the Stare Polesie district. The building is a former tsarist prison from 1883–1885, and the permanent exhibitions tell both the history of this place and the Polish struggle for independence over more than a hundred years.

From prison to museum

The building at Gdańska was constructed in 1883–1885 as a prison. It served in this role during the First World War, in the interwar period and during the Second World War, when it functioned as a prison for women. The penal institution operated here until February 1953. After its closure, the building housed a militia school, and in 1958 the building was handed over to the museum.

Foundation and naming of the museum

The institution was founded in 1959 as the Museum of the History of the Revolutionary Movement. It adopted its present name, Museum of Independence Traditions, on 1 January 1990, along with a change of focus from the history of the revolutionary movement to independence traditions. The name change coincided with the political breakthrough in Poland and reflected the museum's new direction, focusing on the entire history of independence aspirations rather than only the revolutionary thread. In 2019 the museum received the Silver Medal "Deserving for Culture Gloria Artis", awarded for services to Polish culture.

Permanent exhibitions at Gdańska

The main headquarters presents two permanent exhibitions. The first, "Roads to Independence 1791–1921", encompasses more than a hundred years of Polish efforts to recover their own state, from the Constitution of 3 May to the rebirth of the Republic. The second, "Prison at Długa (Gdańska) in Łódź 1885–1953", tells the story of the building itself and the fates of the people held in it, from tsarist times to the early years of the Polish People's Republic.

Museum branches

In addition to its main headquarters, Muzeum Tradycji Niepodległościowych operates branches in other parts of Łódź. Oddział Martyrologii Radogoszcz at ul. Zgierska documents the German occupation and crimes committed in this place. Oddział Stacja Radegast is housed in the building of a former railway station and is devoted to the history of deportations from the Łódź ghetto. Each of these branches has its own exhibition and its own visiting hours.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Gdańska 13, Łódź, Stare Polesie district
• Hours: Monday–Wednesday 9:00–17:00, Thursday 11:00–18:00, Friday closed, Saturday–Sunday 9:30–16:00 (it is worth checking the current schedule before your visit)
• Getting there: the building of the former prison in the central part of Łódź, public access
• What to expect: two permanent exhibitions in a historic prison building and information about the other branches of the museum