Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego Collegium Maius

A fascinating and historic gem in the heart of Krakow. Collegium Maius, part of the Jagiellonian University, is the oldest university building in Poland, dating back to the 14th–15th centuries. Walking inside feels like stepping into medieval academic life: Gothic arcades, a quiet inner courtyard, wooden staircases, and beautifully preserved rooms. The museum highlights the long history of the university, which counts among its students Nicolaus Copernicus, one of the most important figures in the history of science. Many of the rooms display scientific instruments, globes, astrolabes, old lecture halls, and rare manuscripts that show how knowledge was taught centuries ago. One of the most impressive areas is the Aula, with its wooden ceiling, portraits of scholars, and historic furniture. The treasury also contains precious objects donated by kings, professors, and benefactors over hundreds of years. Every hour, in the courtyard, you can watch the charming astronomical clock where small figures, including Copernicus, appear in a short mechanical show. Beautiful, atmospheric, and incredibly well preserved. A must-visit for anyone interested in history, science, or the origins of European universities.

Amazing experience. Really glad to have visited such an inspiring and unique college-museum. It is quite impressive to see how the professors, the students and of course Copernicus lived, gathered, studied. The clock show parade of the figurines, in the courtyard, is a must-see.

I'm so glad I have visited this museum. I love everything about it - the architecture, the traditional clock show, the interior, the academic vibes around and of course the exhibits. All of them are full of history and are very treasurable. Oh also the coffee and the pistachio cake was unexpectedly good.

Small but very informative museum, focused on the Jagiellonian University, and its professors. Includes a room dedicated to Nicholaus Copernicus. Another temporary exhibit downstairs showcased an impressive collection of arithmetic machines, before the electronic computers era.

Make sure to go just before the clock starts...it doesn't move on every hour, so check beforehand. Lovely place to visit for an hour or two and very enlightening to see real astronomical gadgets used by famous historical figures.

Main garden of the museum has an old musical clock. The current clock is the fourth in the history of Collegium Maius. The first clockwork mechanism dates to the period before 1465, for in that year the chronicles note the repair of a clock "of remarkable size" . That clock was destroyed in the 1492 fire and then rebuilt thanks to the efforts of the University authorities and Queen Elisabeth of Habsburg. This clock was to keep time for a few decades. The present clock began its work on 30th September 2000. The computer system installed within it starts a procession of historical figures, accompanied by a musical motif , which is a fragment of a court music piece composed by Jan of Lublin, attributed to the mid-16th century. The clock also plays an instrumental version of the Gaudeamus Igitur academic song. The figures moving outside refer to various persons related to the University's history: a bedel (a University official), Queen Jadwiga, King Ladislaus the Jagiellonian, St. Jan of Kęty, Hugo Kołłątaj and the Rector Stanisław from Skalbmierz. The clock plays music daily at 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00.

One member of the museum staff behaved in a completely unprofessional manner throughout our visit. Instead of assisting visitors, she spent the entire time using her mobile phone with the ringtone turned on at a very high volume, disturbing everyone. Later, the same staff member talked to us in a verbally aggressive and rude manner, raising her voice and pretending not to understand English. She then called another colleague, who refused to listen to my explanation and also behaved in an offensive and discriminatory way, making racist remarks by stating that my accent revealed my origins. Such behavior is completely unacceptable, especially in a cultural institution

Jagiellonian University is simply breathtaking! One of the oldest universities in the world, and you can truly feel the history, science, and art flowing through its halls. The architecture, the atmosphere, the academic legacy—everything is inspiring. Walking here feels like stepping into a place where knowledge has thrived for centuries. Absolutely amazing!