The origins of the museum collections in Racibórz date back to the 1920’s and are closely associated with the establishment (in 1819) of the Royal and Evangelical High School in this town, whose teachers began gathering materials related to ethnography, military and industrial arts in their laboratories and classrooms to be used as teaching aids.
The official opening of the first museum exhibitions took place on 4th December 1927, and the exhibitions were housed in the former, 14th century church of The Holy Spirit. Later another building, located nearby, on Chopin street, was adapted for the museum. Today, Racibórz museum collections include about 30 thousand items and are presented in nine permanent exhibitions and additionally are often organized in temporary exhibitions. The most interesting, permanent exhibitions are:
- ”The discoveries in the church of the Dominican Sisters” – the exhibition presents archaeological discoveries ”in situ” of the place of their discovery. Visitors can see (amongst many others things) a ritually broken sword (found in the tomb of the last Racibórz duke, Walentyn).
- ”In the Osiris House” – this display simulates the burial chamber, which includes the presence of an authentic Egyptian mummy, a woman named Dżed-Amonet-ius-anch. After 2800 years from the time of death, she rests on the bed in Racibórz museum, partially exposed from the original bandages.
- ”Ritual year of the Upper Oder” – illustrates the ritual life of the inhabit-ants of Racibórz and the region. The exposition contains: effigies of Marzanna drowned in the spring, Lent knockers, hand decorated Easter eggs, and an entire set of costumes associated with carolling.
- ”Former dental techniques” – this is a collection of items used in dentistry and dental technology, including: old chairs, drills, columns with complete set of accessories for the teeth treatment and teeth removal as well as samples, chemicals and auxiliaries.
