Museum of Musical Instruments

Poznan's Museum of Musical Instruments is the first of its kind in Poland and only the third in Europe, as it was established in 1945-6. This is not only the place to go if you want to know what a phonofiddle or a jazz violin looks like, but also if you appreciate applied arts or elaborately decorated objects. The museum's co-founder and first curator, Zdzislaw Szulc, was a collector and musical instrument specialist, and many of the instruments come from his collection. The exhibits are divided by sections, including a room of music boxes and gramophones, as well as rooms of pianos and organs, horns, winds, percussion instruments, guitars and string instruments, and a floor of folk instruments from different ages and cultures, from African drums to European folk violins and accordions.

"One of the coolest museums i've seen - but i'm probably biased because i'm a musician myself. but maybe if you take your kids there it will inspire them to learn an instrument!"

DJ Analog
United States
Mar.03.2008
Overall rating 5/5

"Probably one of the most inspirational museums I've ever been to. It's really amazing that some of these instruments are really works of art in themselves - most of them in fact. But it's also interesting to see how instruments have developed through the ages, and how similar instruments can be made in completely different ways by different cultures. The only bad thing about the museum that really should be changed is that you cannot listen to any of the instruemtns. I understand some are old and would fall apart if played, but most of them could be recorded so visitors could listen to what they sound like on headphones as they went through - that would make it so much better. Either way, if you're a musician, it's worth coming to Poznan just to see this museum!"

Ania
United States
Jul.11.2007
Overall rating 5/5