Family Home of John Paul II

Museum of the John Paul II

The Holy Father John Paul II Family Home Museum in Wadowice opened on April 12, 2010 as a joint undertaking of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Małopolska Voivodeship, Wadowice Township, and the Archdiocese of Cracow.

September 2010 saw the launch of a thorough reconstruction of a tenement house at No 7 Kościelna Street where the Wojtyła family had lived before WW II and where the papal museum has operated since 1984. At the same time, work started on a new, multimedia exhibition that will take the visitor on a trip through different stages of the Holy Father’s life, inviting reflection and showing the climate and life in pre-war Wadowice. Upon completion, the museum will become a state-of-the-art cultural institution appropriate for the 21st century and worthy of the greatness of Pope John Paul II. The museum will welcome first visitors in first 2014.

Karol Wojtyła, the son of Emilia and Karol Wojtyła, was born on 18th May 1920 in an apartment building in 7 Koscielna Street, Wadowice. Today it features a Family Home Museum of John Paul II open to public since 9th April 2014. Its heart is the flat rent by the future Pope’s parents since 1919, consisting of a kitchen, a bedroom and a living room. It has been equipped with furniture from the era and genuine Wojtyła family memorabilia such as Emilia’s hand-made lace napkins, her handbag and gold locket, tableware and family photos.

MODERN MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION
UNIQUE VIEW ON THE LIFE OF JOHN PAUL II,
HIS TEACHING AND MESSAGE

Passing through 1200 m2 of 16 thematic areas located on 4 floors, we get acquainted with stages of Karol Wojtyła – John Paul II’s life: from his family home in Wadowice where “it all began” to his new home – the whole world. We discover pre-war Wadowice town, hike with the Pope. In the mountains, get to know the historic context of his work and take part in 104 apostolic trips. We can accompany John Paul II in his return to the House of the Father and explore his path to sanctity.

The exhibition tells the story of a man who, growing in a small town in southern Poland, learnt about respect, dialogue, openness towards people and the understanding of other cultures. It enables us to “travel in time” and get the sense of the impact his first 18 years in Wadowice had on his future life.

Museum, annually visited by about 250 thousand people from all over the world, boasts nearly 200 genuine memorabilia of John Paul II and his family as well as 140 historic photos. The museum is a skillful combination of modern high-tech and multimedia solutions with the traditional way of exhibiting which enables everyone to find something for oneself and discover the richness of the Pope’s life and message.

We are looking forward to meet you in Wadowice – the place where “it all began” as John Paul II used to say!