Discover Bielsk Podlaski: Culture and History

The Muzeum Obojga Narodów w Bielsku Podlaskim has been housed in the town hall since 1984. Its ethnographic collection includes textiles from the area around Bielsk Podlaski; a special collection of towels was assembled in Bielsk County. A listed wooden house at ul. Dubicze 20 dates from the late 18th century. The Orthodox Church of the Resurrection at ul. Traugutta 5 is a listed wooden and brick church dating from the 18th to 19th centuries. The medieval fortified settlement of Góra Zamkowa lies in the northeastern part of a park.

The Muzeum Obojga Narodów has been housed in the town hall since 1984. Its ethnographic collection includes a range of textiles from the area around Bielsk Podlaski. A special group comprises folk towels assembled through many years of research and fieldwork in Bielsk County. This brings together a broad selection of regionally attributed textiles and a specially assembled collection of towels.

This focus makes the museum a specific point of interest for travelers interested in folk textile culture. The collection connects everyday objects with an insight into the work involved in assembling the towels. The museum's address is Town Hall, ul. Mickiewicza 45, 17-100 Bielsk Podlaski.

The spacious wooden house at ul. Dubicze 20 is a listed building and was built in the late 18th century. The Orthodox Church of the Resurrection at ul. Traugutta 5 combines wooden and brick construction; its date is given as the 18th to 19th centuries. Both buildings offer a tangible introduction to the city's architectural history, but differ in function, materials, and period.

Góra Zamkowa adds another, different historic landmark: a medieval fortified settlement in the northeastern part of a park in Bielsk Podlaski. The cultural landscape therefore ranges from historic buildings to a fortified site. If you are interested in architectural history, you can consider these differences as distinct points of interest when planning your stay, rather than grouping the sites into a single building type.

The Muzeum Obojga Narodów offers workshops and museum classes for all age groups. There are also events with different focuses: since 2022, the discussion series “Sejmiki Bielskie” has been held quarterly. Research findings are presented, and questions about the history of Podlachia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth are discussed.

Since 2021, the museum has also hosted the outdoor event “Dni Tradycji Obojga Narodów,” which presents the history and culture of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The discussion series focuses on exchange and historical topics, while the outdoor event explores history and culture in a different format. If a particular activity is a deciding factor for your trip, check the event dates for your travel period.

First, consider whether the museum collection, historic architecture, or a particular type of event will be the focus of your stay. This will help you plan your trip around the subjects that interest you most.

If you would also like to explore other destinations, discover Ploski and Topczewo.

What textiles are included in the ethnographic collection?

These include skirts, shirts, tablecloths, bedspreads, braids, and tapestries from the area around Bielsk Podlaski. A special collection of folk towels was assembled through many years of research and fieldwork in Bielsk County.

What is the museum's address?

The address of the Muzeum Obojga Narodów w Bielsku Podlaskim is Town Hall, ul. Mickiewicza 45, 17-100 Bielsk Podlaski.

Which age groups can take part in workshops and museum classes?

The museum offers both formats for all age groups.

For the broader travel overview: Bielski.