They could have made an ordinary place where workshops on soap making take place…. however, the originators of the Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt went a step further and decided to spice up the attraction with a trip back in time and show how hygiene was once (not) taken care of! Come see how great it worked out for them.
The Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt is located in the center of Bydgoszcz, at 13/17 Dluga Street. The townhouse has two entrances to the museum – in one you buy tickets, and in the other you enter the workshop area at specific times.
The museum is a relatively new attraction, having opened in 2012, but it has already managed to become a permanent fixture on the list of top tourist attractions in Bydgoszcz and has been marked with many esteemed awards: Best Tourist Product 2017, Eagles of Tourism 2019 and numerous indications as one of the best museums in Poland. Anyway, let additional confirmation be the very high rating on Google Maps – out of more than 2,500 reviews, and the average rating is 4.7!
While collecting material for a book on children’s attractions in Poland, we couldn’t help but take a look at this place and see if, in fact, the history of dirt and soap making could be so fascinating :)
Table of contents
A visit to the Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt
A visit to the museum lasts about an hour and it is extremely important to reserve a seat for a specific time in advance(link). The number of people entering the workshop is limited and it is better to avoid being denied entry due to unavailability of seats.
The whole project consists of two parts: a workshop and a guided walk through the exhibition.
Soapmaking workshop
The workshop is the first part of a visit to the museum. A group of visitors is invited to long tables where molds and accessories await, from which soaps will be conjured in a moment. However, before we get down to business, a museum employee will introduce us to the history of the creation of soap and tell us about the various ingredients that make it perform its primary function – washing the body.
The next step is to proceed with making your soaps. Participants choose the shape, fragrance, color, additives (e.g., oatmeal, coffee beans, seashells), then pour the mold and set it aside until the soap has set. At this time, everyone is invited to the exhibit section, where a guide or guide is already waiting.
Exhibition on hygiene and dirt
Completely honestly, this part stole our hearts! Although modest in area (there are only two rooms) it is interestingly arranged, full of prepared arrangements and exhibits.
However, this is not a typical museum – here the job is done by the charisma and storytelling of the museum staff, who are great at getting even younger visitors interested. One walks through the different parts of the rooms with a guide who brings the history of body care to the different eras and times that a majority of visitors remember from their own childhood.
Although it is not a chronological journey (at least at the beginning), but the different parts relate to each other and are so full of interesting facts that this does not interfere in any way.
During the visit we will learn why hygiene was not taken care of in France, during the time of Louis XIV, which is associated with dignity, beautiful dresses, rich palaces and splendor. The guide will tell you about what could be found in wigs, where in the famous Louvre they took care of their needs, and how bad smells were killed….
Fortunately, the journey ahead will be less hideous ;) We’ll learn about the time of Roman thermae, when bathing, however, was common and baths were open to the public, see what bathroom houses looked like and why they were condemned by the church, and take a look at the first bidets and nightstands.
A sizable part of the exhibition is devoted to laundry: there are grinders, old washing machines, powders, and we will also see what a bathroom looked like in the communist era.
We would never have expected that in about 30-40 minutes we would be so drawn into the history of hygiene and learn so much during a relatively short guided tour ;)
Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt for children
Is it a good place for children? By all means! Especially for children aged say 5+ who are eager to listen to the guide.
In our case, the 3-year-old was very interested and involved in making soap, although the display part was no longer so interesting to him. The 6-year-old fully participated in the whole thing and got a lot out of the visit, and recalls many interesting facts to this day. Add to this the fact that at the end the children take away their soaps, which will be a cool souvenir for them after their visit there.
The space is quite cramped, so leave the cart near the section with hangers.
Practical information
Prices – how much a ticket to the Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt costs
There are no discounted tickets as such on offer, and a standard ticket costs 29 PLN. Children under 3 years of age enter for free.
It is possible to buy a family ticket for 4-5 people for 99 PLN (including a minimum of one child under 18 years of age).
Museum opening hours
The Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and entrances are at full hours.
Getting to the Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt
The Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt is located in the Old Town in Bydgoszcz, on Długa Street. There are no parking spaces directly at the museum, but you can park your car on nearby streets in public parking spaces (paid parking zone).
In case of access by public transport, the nearest stop is Nowy Rynek (buses: 51, 55, 58, 59, 60).
The exact address:
Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt
ul. Dluga 13-17
85-034 Bydgoszcz
www: https://muzeummydla.pl/
Where to stay overnight near the Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt
In Bydgoszcz, the accommodation offer is very diverse, so everyone should find something for themselves. We stayed at the hotel, which is the first on the list below, and we sincerely recommend it – very good conditions and delicious breakfasts. The following facilities also have very good reviews.
Focus Hotel Premium Bydgoszcz Address: 13 Bernardyńska, 85-033 Bydgoszcz Prices: from 374 PLN for a double room Link: https://r4b.link/booking-focus-premium
Our opinion about the Museum of Soap and Dirt
Are all the accolades and positive reviews received for the Museum of Soap and Dirt well deserved? By all means!
We can safely admit that this is one of the coolest museums for families with children in Poland. Although tiny in area, it should be all the more appreciated for having succeeded in creating an interesting and engaging place that attracts crowds of tourists.
Especially since the subject matter is not typical and too “appealing” ;)
...prefers a quiet, lazy vacation, but does not miss the opportunity to see something interesting and bravely keeps pace with Kamila. Contrary to appearances, he also loves active leisure :) He is responsible for the organizational and practical part of the trip, i.e. he makes sure that we get to the ... More about us >>
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