The exhibition “Zwierzęta wszystkich światów” (“Animals of All Worlds”) opened at Pałac Rzeczypospolitej in Warsaw on 5 November. Entry is free, with historic books about animals, engravings and sculptures of fantastical creatures on display.
It’s a good place to visit with a new group: look at the illustrations, compare them with the sculptures and pick out the most unusual creatures. Just don’t plan your visit for 11 November — the palace is closed that day.
What to explore together
The exhibition brings together printed works and engravings from the late 15th to the 18th century from the Biblioteka Narodowa collection. Authors include Jan Jonston, Maria Sibylla Merian, Ulisses Aldrovandi and Konrad Gesner.
Alongside the book illustrations are sculptures by Dawid Korzeniewski: sea monsters, giraffes, a rhinoceros, a unicorn and insects. Pick a creature and compare how it looks on the page and as a sculpture in the gallery, then discuss which version feels more convincing.
The exhibition offers another talking point: the boundary between observation and imagination. Early naturalists collected not just information about animals’ appearance and lives, but also the symbols, proverbs, dreams and predictions associated with them. Try separating an animal’s familiar features from the details added by the imagination.
The books’ pages will be turned regularly, changing the illustrations on view. Visit again and you may see different animals.
Ideas for a group visit
For a first outing together, try a simple activity: everyone picks the strangest creature, then explains their choice. Another option is to compare which illustrations resemble familiar animals and which look more like characters from fairy tales.
Keep your voices low in the galleries and don’t touch the exhibits. Personal photography is allowed without flash or a tripod; coats and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom. Food and drinks are not allowed, except for water in a closed bottle.
Mates is an app for interest-based meetups in Warsaw.
When to join a curator-led tour
The next curator-led tours take place on 15 November at 12:00 and 23 November at 17:00. Entry is free, so you can join a curator rather than explore on your own.
Address and opening hours
When: from 5 November 2026 to April 2027, from 11:00 to 19:00, except Tuesdays and additional closure dates. Where: Pałac Rzeczypospolitej, Plac Krasińskich 3/5. Admission: free.
In November, the palace is also closed on 11, 18, 19, 20, 25 and 27 November. Last entry on open days is at 18:45.
Sources
- Już jutro otwieramy wystawę czasową „Zwierzęta wszystkich światów” w Pałacu Rzeczypospolitej — Biblioteka Narodowa, 04.11.2026
