Bunkier’s history dates back to 1950.It was then that the Krakow branch of the CBWA (Central Bureau of Artistic Exhibitions) was established.
The Bunkier Building
The originator of the construction of the new Gallery headquarters was Bolesław Drobner, a member of parliament and a communist activist.He suggested that the area between Szewska 25 and Szczepańska 3 should be allocated for this purpose.Here, Bolesław Drobner’s father, Roman, opened an Art Nouveau café in 1907 that, after a turbulent history, fire, and multiple name changes, more than 50 years later, became Krakow’s first strip club, called “Esplanade”.In this area there was also an 18th-century granary, which in the end became integral to the new plan and can be seen to this day composed into the concrete.
Removal of fallen trees in the Planty Gardens on the corner of Szczepański Square in the 1920s.In the background, there is a cafe which was then called “Udziałowa” (photo from the National Digital Archive)
The new building was officially opened on 11 October, 1965.The architect was Krystyna Różyska-Tołłoczko, and the sculpting of the facade (imprinted concrete formwork) was designed by Stefan Borzęcki and Antoni Hajdecki.This building is unique – one of Poland’s few examples of brutalist architecture (the name “brutalism” has no connection with brutality, but comes from the French word “brut”, or “raw”).Its interesting location in the historical context is a beautiful example of successful late modernist architecture.Until the 1990s, the building was the only modern architectural building within Krakow’s Old Town.
The new Bunkier Sztuki building after opening; view of the section on the corner of Szczepański Square (photo from the Gallery’s archive)
For years, the gallery went under the name BWA.The name “Bunkier Sztuki” was only officially adopted in 1994.
Current Gallery activities
In 2024, after three years of extensive renovation, the Gallery’s modernized building was opened to the public. Exhibitions, presentations of works from the Collection, as well as artistic, educational, promotional and publishing activities all returned to the venue at Plac Szczepański 3a.
Children, young people and adults can take part in the Gallery’s regular workshops, guided tours, meetings with artists and curators as well as special events.
The Gallery houses the Austeria Paper & Art bookshop. Art and literature lovers will find here catalogues of the Bunkier Sztuki Gallery’s exhibitions, art books, literary and essay publications and albums by publishers who are not widely available. The offer is complemented by unique stationery and writing products, notebooks, posters and textiles.
The Gallery also houses the Creation Station – an unusual area in the exhibition space for the youngest visitors and their carers. It is a place where children can spend time creatively, play, relax, draw and read. There are poufs, tables with drawing utensils and plenty of books on art and more.
The exhibitions can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday between 11 am and 7 pm.
Ticket prices:
Normal ticket 22 PLN
Reduced ticket 12 PLN
Concession ticket (e.g., children up to 7 years of age) 2 PLN
Family ticket 40 PLN
Normal group ticket (min. 10 people) 180 PLN
Discounted group ticket (min. 10 people) 90 PLN
After visiting the exhibition you are welcome to have a coffee and some cake in our café to recover and discuss your experience.
For more information visit www.bunkier.art.pl