105 years ago, on April 22, 1920, Marshal Józef Piłsudski signed a decree establishing the Museum of the Polish Army. The initiator of this thought was Kazimierz Sosnkowski, who already in 1919 – as the second Deputy Minister of Military Affairs – saw the request to preserve the heritage and tradition of the Polish weapon. Piłsudski, even in the face of the upcoming conflict of Warsaw, felt that the young state and its army needed strong foundations in the form of historical and spiritual military heritage.
The first seat of the Museum was a tenement home at Podwale Street in Warsaw. The institution was headed by Colonel Bronisław Gembarzewski – a military historian and battalion painter. The fast improvement of the collections caused the Museum to be moved to a fresh wing of the building on Jerusalem Avenue, where a permanent exposition was opened in 1934 – with the legendary Chorągwan Hall at the head.
During the Warsaw Uprising, the Museum was devastated and partially robbed by the German occupier. Nevertheless, as early as January 1946, it was the first institution in the destroyed capital to resume its exhibition activity. After 1989, during the period of systemic transformation, the Museum's expositions were enriched with subjects so far omitted: Polish Legions, National Army, Katyn Crime. The structure of the institution besides created a branch – the Katyń Museum.
The 21st century brought fresh quality and fresh space. In 2023 the Museum left its existing office on Jerusalem Avenue and moved to a modern complex in the Warsaw Citadel. The main exhibition was presented here: “1000 years of glory defends Polish” – a communicative about the past of combat, courage and dedication. More exhibitions will shortly be opened, including the Warsaw conflict Museum in Ossów.
Today, the Museum of the Polish Army is more than 350 1000 exhibits – from historical banners to modern weapons, from papers to works of ballistic art. It is simply a evidence to the history, memory and pride of the Polish weapon.
On 24 April 2025 a celebration of the 105th anniversary of the Polish Military Museum was held at the Warsaw Citadel.
The ceremony began with raising the state flag for mast, singing the national anthem, and reporting to the Military Inspector of Types of Armed Forces General Command, Gen. Dyw. Jack Ostrowski, by the Commander of the Representation Company.
The gathering was welcomed by prof. Bogusław Pacek, manager of the Polish Military Museum, who presented the priorities, tasks and imagination of the institution's further development. peculiar attention was paid to the relocation of the facility from Jerozolimskie Avenue to the fresh office in the Warsaw Citadel – a landmark minute in the past of the museum. He besides stressed the importance of the investments carried out, including the construction of the 1920 Warsaw conflict Museum and the request to cultivate historical memory through modern and dynamic activities. The manager thanked the superiors, staff and institutions supporting the museum, highlighting their key contribution to the institution's development.
On the occasion of the Jubilee, a congratulatory letter was sent by the Deputy Minister of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. The message to the collected was read by the General of the Weapons at rest. Edward Puszka, Advisor at the Office of the Minister of National Defence, who besides presented the medal awarded by the president of Poland.
During the ceremony, congratulations and words were read to the Undersecretary of State for European Affairs, Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka. This letter was read by manager Marta Daniluk on behalf of the Minister.
Attended at the ceremony, Dr. Michał Wiater and Dr. Przemysław Grabowski, Deputy manager of the Department of Education, Culture and Heritage at the Ministry of National Defence presented well-deserved staff with the "For Merit to Defend the Country".
During the event, we had the honour of hosting Minister Maciej Wróbel, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, who gave well-deserved workers the discrimination “Gloria Artis” and “Deserved for Polish Culture”. manager Andrzej Bida, on behalf of the Head of the Office for Combatants and Represented Persons honored with the medals "Pro Patria" people especially deserved in cultivating the memory of the conflict for Homeland independence.
The commemorative badges of the Polish Military Museum and diplomas of designation were besides awarded, which were presented by the manager of the MWP.
On this unique day, our presence was honored by the president of the Board of the planet Army Soldiers' Association, Captain Janusz Komorowski, ps. “Antek”, local government: Renata Kozłowska - Mayor of the Żoliborz territory of Warsaw, Arkadiusz Werelich - Starosta Wołominski, Dariusz Szymanowski - Deputy Mayor of Volomina, as well as representatives of command, military units, institutions, military universities, museums, clergy, erstwhile directors and many retired and present employees of the Polish Military Museum.
We thank the WP typical Orchestra, the Land Army typical Company and students of the uniform classes from the 111th Hunting Squadron in Volomina for creating a unique luminaire of the ceremony.
105 years of the Polish Military Museum is not only a jubilee of the institution, but besides a celebration of memory, tradition and service. It is simply a tribute to all those who fought for the freedom of the Republic, and to those who for generations have documented this fight for future generations.
105 years of past service. 105 years of memory and pride in Polish weaponry.
Source: MWP
