Things to do in Gorlitz, Saxony: The Best Specialty Museums

Reviewed By mg706 - Arlington, United States

This is a medium-sized museum in the middle of Gorlitz dedicated to the history, crafts, and arts of Silesia, a region of central Europe. Presently, the region is considered part of Poland, but in the past various German states and Bohemia also included parts of Silesia. The museum takes up several levels of an historical building. (There is a lift.) Entry was six euros per person and included an audio guide. Rooms were arranged thematically, either around certain historical periods or collections of related crafts. Placards were in German and Polish, but many exhibits also included comprehensive audio entries in English. Naturally, some knowledge of a local language would be helpful with reading all of the information presented. This is a bright and modern museum. It was not crowded during our visit. Items seemed carefully curated and were described in a professional, informative manner. The facilities were clean, with lockers, nice restrooms, and a small gift shop. There were no issues with photography. We spent approximately two hours in the museum, but we could have easily stretched that out to three or four hours. Items ranged from the whimsical, like folk statues of local spirits, to the somber, such as coats and personal items from families displaced by war. As it was, we sped through sections devoted to World War II, the Communist era, and the region’s modern art scene. This museum is highly recommended. If you’re short on time, I would suggest heading directly to sections that pique your interest. Otherwise, browsing slowly is equally rewarding.