Gold Museum in Złotoryja

The Gold Museum in Złotoryja is housed in a historic building on Zaułek Street, built into the town's former defensive walls. The venue tells the story of centuries of gold mining in the Złotoryja region and displays a collection of minerals gathered in the area.

How the museum came to be

The museum was established in July 1978 on a community initiative, with the help of the town authorities. Until 1998 it operated under the name Community Museum of the Złotoryja Region, only later adopting its current name, which more strongly emphasises Złotoryja's tradition of gold prospecting.

A building full of history

The museum's home is the building at Zaułek 2, built in the mid-18th century. It was incorporated into the town's former defensive walls, so the venue's architecture itself is part of the exhibition, even before you step inside.

What the exhibition shows

The core of the collection comes from the collection of Leopold Schmeterling. Among the exhibits are gilded vessels and glass goblets, as well as geological specimens, including agates and samples of pyrite, illustrating the mineral wealth of the Złotoryja area, known since the Middle Ages as a centre of gold mining. The exhibition thus combines two threads: the history of local mining and the collecting passion of the former donor, whose collection became the foundation of the whole venue.

A town with a golden tradition

Since the Middle Ages, Złotoryja has tied its name and economy to the gold found in the surrounding rivers and rocks. The museum is a natural starting point for learning this history, before heading further out into the area, where the old workings can be seen with your own eyes.

Złotoryja as a town of gold

The museum is worth combining with other traces of Złotoryja's mining tradition. It's close from here to the Aurelia Gold Mine in Złotoryja, where you can go underground and see the old workings. Nearby also lies Wilcza Góra Nature Reserve, and in the town itself Church of St Hedwig of Silesia and Franciscan Monastery in Złotoryja.

Practical information

• Address: Zaułek 2, Złotoryja
• The museum occupies a historic building incorporated into the town's former defensive walls
• Self-guided visiting, geological and historical collections related to gold mining
• Check opening hours before your visit at the town office or the tourist information point in Złotoryja