Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego Collegium Maius (Jagiellonian University Museum)

A museum inside Collegium Maius

Collegium Maius in Cracow is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, standing on Jagiellońska Street, a few minutes' walk from the Main Market Square. The Gothic edifice with its arcaded courtyard served the former Cracow Academy as lecture halls, a library and professors' lodgings, and today houses the university museum.

Collections and exhibits

The holdings are divided into several collections illustrating the history of the university. The greatest impression is made by the old scientific instruments: an Arabic astrolabe, a set of globes headed by the Jagiellonian Globe, astronomical devices and workshop equipment. Alongside them are Western European painting, prints, sculpture, decorative arts and woodcut blocks.

Interiors and visiting

The rooms themselves are as interesting as the exhibits: the old library, the Aula, the Green Room, the professors' chambers, Copernicus's room and the lodging of St John Cantius. Visits follow marked routes through the interiors, while the arcaded courtyard is freely accessible and often serves as a concert setting.