Cities
Poland Zakopane Lesser Museum

Palace Museum of Struggle and Martyrdom

About

The Palace Museum of Struggle and Martyrdom in Zakopane occupies the former Palace guesthouse, a 1930s modernist villa that became one of the most tragic sites in the region during World War II. Taken over by the Gestapo, its basement was transformed into prison cells and interrogation rooms where thousands of people were detained, tortured, and often killed. The building, known as the “Torture House of Podhale,” still bears traces of this dark history, including surviving inscriptions left by prisoners. Today, the museum preserves the authenticity of the site, presenting original spaces alongside exhibits that document the stories of resistance fighters, couriers, and civilians who passed through its cells. Photographs, personal belongings, and archival materials offer a stark reminder of the brutality of the occupation and the resilience of those who endured it. As a branch of the Tatra Museum, the Palace stands as a powerful memorial and an essential place of remembrance in Zakopane.

Zakopane Poland
Palace Museum of Struggle and Martyrdom
Location

The Palace Museum of Struggle and Martyrdom is located at ul. Tytusa Chałubińskiego 7 in the centre of Zakopane, a short walk from the town’s main streets and the Krupówki promenade. Nearby you will find local cafés and restaurants, the Tatra Museum, the Krupówki shopping and dining strip, and key bus stops that connect the site to the rest of Zakopane and the surrounding Tatra slopes.

The Tatra Museum The Tatra Museum Museum Muzeum Stylu Zakopiańskiego im. S. Witkiewicza Muzeum Stylu Zakopiańskiego im. S. Witkiewicza Museum Willa Koliba Willa Koliba Museum Karol Szymanowski Museum – Villa Atma Karol Szymanowski Museum – Villa Atma Museum Oscypek Museum Oscypek Museum Museum Chałupa Sabały Chałupa Sabały Museum Be Happy Museum Zakopane Be Happy Museum Zakopane Museum Kornel Makuszyński Museum Kornel Makuszyński Museum Museum Jan Kasprowicz Museum Jan Kasprowicz Museum Museum Centrum Edukacji Przyrodniczej TPN Zakopane Centrum Edukacji Przyrodniczej TPN Zakopane Museum Władysław Hasior Gallery Władysław Hasior Gallery Museum Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz Theatre Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz Theatre Theatre Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa Church Kościół Najświętszej Rodziny Kościół Najświętszej Rodziny Church Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jaszczurówka Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jaszczurówka Chapel Church of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima Church Kasprowy Wierch Kasprowy Wierch Mountain Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump Tourist attractions Willa Oksza Willa Oksza Museum Giewont Mountain Giewont Mountain Mountain Nosal Peak Nosal Peak Mountain Peak Tatra National Park Tatra National Park Park Dolna Rówień Krupowa Dolna Rówień Krupowa Park Strążyska Valley Strążyska Valley Park Dolina Białego Dolina Białego Park