POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the winner of the European Museum of the Year Award in 2016 is located in the minimalistic building designed by Finnish architects. The building won numerous awards such as The Best Architectonic Design 2013.

The museum presents the multimedia exhibition of the Jew community which contributed to the development of Polish science, culture, and economy. Visitors can learn about the history of Polish Jews starting from their arrival in 960 and ending on the modern times. The institution also serves as a cultural and didactic center. The space dedicated to children, the restaurant offering Jewish dishes and the souvenir shop are also available there.

Opened in 2005, the museum was created on the initiative of the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland. It is situated in the very center of the former Jewish district, in the place of the later ghetto. The word "Polin" refers to the legend about an arrival of first Jewish settlers, who while wandering around forest heard voices of birds singing "po-lin" what in Hebrew means "rest here". Today "Polin" means "Poland".

It is one of the first Polish public-private institutions co-created by the government, local government and non-governmental organization.