Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum

Museum in Warsaw

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Adrian Grycuk

The Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum in Warsaw is dedicated to the life and work of one of the world’s most renowned scientists. Housed in the 18th-century tenement where she was born in 1867, the museum is located on Freta Street in the historic New Town district. It offers an intimate look into the personal and professional journey of Maria Skłodowska, better known as Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two scientific fields—physics and chemistry. The museum was established in 1967, marking the centenary of her birth, and continues to be a symbol of Polish scientific achievement and women’s contributions to science.

The exhibits are thoughtfully arranged to reflect the key stages of Curie’s life, from her early years in Warsaw, through her scientific education in Paris, to her groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity. Personal letters, photographs, original documents, and replicas of her laboratory instruments allow visitors to understand both the challenges she faced and the significance of her achievements. Among the most moving displays is a reproduction of her laboratory setup and her notebooks, which still remain radioactive to this day—although not on display for safety reasons.

The museum also emphasizes Curie’s identity as both a Pole and a French citizen. Her strong ties to Poland, even after settling in France, are illustrated through her correspondence and her continued support for Polish scientific institutions. Special attention is given to her perseverance in an era when women were systematically excluded from scientific and academic fields. She emerges not only as a brilliant scientist, but also as a tenacious woman of principle, who overcame institutional barriers and personal hardship in her quest for knowledge and social betterment.

Visitors to the museum can take part in guided tours, educational workshops, and temporary exhibitions that highlight Curie’s legacy and its relevance today. It is a modest yet profoundly inspiring space, offering insight into the life of a woman whose name became synonymous with scientific excellence. Whether you are interested in history, science, or gender equality, the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum is a compelling stop in Warsaw that connects visitors with a story of intellect, resilience, and pioneering spirit.

The Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Warsaw!

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