The Copernicus Science Centre is an innovative, hands-on museum that invites families to discover the laws of science through experiments, quizzes and interactive exhibitions. One of Europe’s largest and most modern museums, the centre features over 450 exhibits in seven permanent galleries. Watch a performance by robot actors, see an older version of yourself using “the age machine” and conduct experiments at the museum’s labs.
A talking robot greets you when you first step inside the centre. As you enter, look up at the dramatic two-story-high Foucault pendulum swinging through the atrium.
Start on the ground floor at the Roots of Civilization exhibit, which examines how various inventions over the centuries have propelled the development of humankind. Join a workshop to see what your name looks like when spelled in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
See the On the Move exhibit on the museum’s upper floor, dedicated to all concepts related to motion. Experience a simulated earthquake, use a StairMaster-style machine to generate electricity and run inside a human-sized hamster wheel.
Stop at the museum’s Heavens of Copernicus planetarium, which features a massive dome screen measuring 52 feet (16 metres) in diameter. Images are projected onto the screen, causing viewers to feel transported into outer space, to the bottom of the ocean or inside a volcano. The planetarium also hosts kid-oriented concerts, jazz performances and a laser show based on the music of Pink Floyd.
Check out the views from the museum’s rooftop garden, open during warm weather. Paths wind between crater-shaped skylights and dozens of different plant species, evoking channels eroded by a rushing river. Try to spot landmarks including the Old Town, the National Stadium, the Palace of Culture and Science and the Vistula River.
The Copernicus Science Centre is located on the banks of the Vistula River, not far from Warsaw’s city centre. Get here by bus or subway. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday and has an admission fee. It hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year. Check the website to learn what exhibits and special events are available during your visit.
