Masterpieces from the Lanckoroński Collection. A Story of Antiquity

From 8 May to 30 August 2026, Wawel Royal Castle showed nearly 40 objects from Karol Lanckoronski’s private collection of antiquities, brought together from various parts of Europe and the United States - one of the most important private collections of its kind in old Europe.

Wawel Royal Castle on the exhibition:

As a starting point, the exhibition takes the objects currently held in the collections of the Wawel Royal Castle - a gift from Karolina Lanckoronska and the Lanckoronski Foundation donated in 2000. This small but extremely valuable collection forms part of the count’s former collection, which, by the end of the 19th century, was one of the largest private collections of antiquities in Europe.

The exhibition features, amongst other things, vessels used during feasts: kantharos - a cup associated with the cult of Dionysus; kylix - a flat wine cup; and amphora - a vessel used for storing and transporting liquids. They are complemented by artefacts associated with the cult of Dionysus, including a carved protome of this god.

The exhibits also include a portrait head of a man from the Julio-Claudian dynasty, from the Getty Museum’s collection, as well as exceptional examples of decorative arts: a bronze mirror decorated with images of the Dioscuri and the so-called Lanckoronski gem from the 6th century AD, depicting a cross venerated by Saints Peter and Paul, above which stands a bust of Christ.

Karol Lanckoronski - collector and scholar

Karol Lanckoronski was not only a collector, but also an expert and scholar studying Mediterranean cultures. He took part in Austrian archaeological expeditions and organised his own research expeditions in Asia Minor. The collection of ancient art was one of the most important parts of the Lanckoronski family’s holdings, housed since 1895 in the neo-Baroque palace at Jacquingasse 18 in Vienna, and it was regarded as one of the largest private collections of antiques in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The modern exhibition design by Bartosz Haduch is inspired by the principles of ancient composition and classical geometry. The display is accompanied by an extensive catalogue, the first comprehensive study of Karol Lanckoronski’s collection of ancient works.

After the exhibition

The exhibition “Masterpieces from the Lanckoronski Collection. A Story of Antiquity” closed on 30 August 2026. Wawel Royal Castle currently has another temporary exhibition on view: Joanna Rajkowska’s “Soon Everything Will Change” in the Royal Gardens and the outer courtyard, running until 4 October 2026.

The extensive catalogue, “Arcydziela z kolekcji Lanckoronskich. Odslona trzecia. Opowiesc o antyku” (an essay by Dr Joanna Winiewicz-Wolska and a catalogue compiled by Bartlomiej Makowiecki), was published in Polish only and remains available in the Wawel Royal Castle online shop for 155 PLN.

As Kinga Poniewozik wrote for LoveKrakow.pl, the curators deliberately broke with the convention of “white” museum-style antiquity - co-curator Bartlomiej Makowiecki noted that “this collection never had a museum character,” and the team wanted to “bring this exhibition to life” and “show that antiquity was not white.” No attendance figures or awards for the exhibition were found.

For those interested in historical collections and craftsmanship, three other Krakow temporary exhibitions remain open this autumn 2026:

• Precious, Most Precious. Works from the Czartoryski Princes’ Library (Czartoryski Museum, until 25 October 2026) - like the Lanckoronski holdings, a great private family collection opened to the wider public.
• Art and Trade. Krakow of Craftsmen (Krzysztofory Palace, until 25 October 2026) - a history of Krakow’s crafts and material culture, close to the theme of workmanship and mastery visible in the ancient objects from the Lanckoronski collection.
• Cracovia - 120 Years of History (Krzysztofory Palace, until 30 September 2026) - a history exhibition for anyone who appreciated the story of the past told at Wawel.

Tickets, opening hours, and current details are on the Wawel Royal Castle website .

Museum profile: Wawel Royal Castle .