Wrocław: If you have more time...
Inside the Museum of Architecture, Wrocław / Maciej Świerczyński / Agencja Gazeta
Post-Bernardine Complex and Museum of Architecture
It is Poland's only Museum of Architecture. It is devoted to all kinds of construction and is located in an admirable place, post-Bernardine complex. It is one of very few buildings of such type preserved in Silesia, being one of Wroclaw's most precious monuments. The complex consists of St. Bernardine of Siena's Church and a square plan convent with a cloister which is a really worth seeing and attracts visitors with its unique beauty. The convent was started as a result of St. John of Capestrano activity, a co-founder of Bernardine Order who was named a general inquisitor against corruption and heresy by Pope Nicolas V. In 1450 he started his 6-year mission journey during which he taught and founded new Bernardine convents. He arrived in Wroclaw in 1453 and having received the land he began erecting a convent. The first church was wooden. In 1517 the brick church and convent were completed. However, Bernardines were forced to leave Wroclaw in 1522 due to the conflict with Franciscan sisters of St. James' Convent and with the City Council of Wroclaw. The convent was turned into a hospital and the church was given to Lutherans who used it until 1945. The museum was started in 1965 and it is involved in collecting, restoration and research of any material concerning architecture. It organizes exhibitions. In its collection it possesses projects, graphics, paintings, drawings, architectural crafts and design. It also organizes museum lessons on topics connected with architecture.