Attraction in Częstochowa

Museum of Coins and Medals of John Paul II

A private museum in Częstochowa dedicated to Pope John Paul II, holding over 11,000 exhibits, including around 2,000 coins and many medals, displayed under a dramatic lighting scheme.

Reviewed and updated July 2026

The Museum of Coins and Medals of John Paul II is a private museum in Częstochowa built as a tribute to the Polish pope, holding over 11,000 exhibits that include roughly 2,000 coins along with numerous medals. Founded by entrepreneur Krzysztof Witkowski, it is one of the largest collections of its kind devoted to John Paul II, and the numismatic focus sets it apart from the religious sites most visitors come to the city to see.

What you will see inside

The core of the collection is numismatic: some 2,000 coins together with a large body of commemorative medals, part of a holding that runs past 11,000 exhibits in total. The pieces are presented under a lighting scheme using more than 22,000 points of light, which turns rows of small metal objects into a display designed to be walked through rather than simply glanced at. Coins and medals struck in honour of John Paul II sit at the centre of the story the museum tells.

The idea behind the museum

The museum was created by entrepreneur Krzysztof Witkowski as a personal tribute to Pope John Paul II, and that private origin shapes what is on show. Rather than a state institution, it grew from one collector's effort to gather coins and medals connected with the pope in a single place. The result is described as one of the largest collections of its type dedicated to him anywhere.

More than a display case

Beyond the galleries, the building holds a café, a numismatic shop and a music stage, so a stop here can be longer than a quick walk-through. The shop suits anyone with an interest in coins or in collecting, while the café gives a place to pause between the exhibits. The music stage points to the venue being used for events as well as static display, so it is worth checking the museum's official channels for what may be on during your visit.

Fitting it into a Częstochowa trip

The museum sits on ul. Jagiellońska, roughly 5 km from Jasna Góra, the monastery and pilgrimage site that draws most travellers to the city. That distance makes it an easy add-on for anyone spending more than a few hours in Częstochowa, pairing a secular, collector's angle on John Paul II with the devotional focus of the main sanctuary. See our Częstochowa guide for how to combine the two in one day.

Good to know

The museum is about 5 km from Jasna Góra on ul. Jagiellońska, so plan a short taxi, bus or drive between the two rather than walking.

Frequently asked questions

It holds over 11,000 exhibits, including around 2,000 coins and many commemorative medals connected with Pope John Paul II, shown under a lighting scheme using more than 22,000 points of light.

The museum is on ul. Jagiellońska, about 5 km from the Jasna Góra monastery, so it is an easy addition to a day spent in Częstochowa.

Yes. The building also has a café, a numismatic shop and a music stage, so you can shop, rest or catch an event alongside seeing the collection.

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