On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków hosted the ceremonial launch of the “MiG Alley – Renewal” investment project. A symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, combined with a press conference, officially kicked off the project, which aims to comprehensively transform the preservation and display conditions of one of the most distinctive sections of the museum’s outdoor exhibition. The event was attended by Ms. Iwona Gibas, the Regional Board Member responsible for culture; Ms. Monika Gubała, Director of the Department of Culture and National Heritage at the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region; Mr. Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum; and the project contractors.
Twenty-two aircraft stands, new canopies, stable surfacing, lighting, site furnishings, and a rest area—a project is launching to revamp one of the most distinctive sections of the Polish Aviation Museum’s outdoor exhibition. “MiG Alley – Renewal” is not merely a cosmetic change but a multi-stage project aimed at preserving historic aircraft and creating modern conditions for their display.
Anyone who has visited the Polish Aviation Museum is likely familiar with “MiG Alley.” It is here, in the open air, that dozens of impressive machines stand—primarily a collection of Cold War-era jet fighters. These aircraft were manufactured in the Soviet Union or in Poland under Soviet license and served in the Polish military air force from the 1950s onwards. Visitors can view successive generations of the MiG and Lim families—ranging from the MiG-15 and MiG-17 (and their Polish versions produced at WSK Mielec) and numerous variants of the MiG-21, to supersonic aircraft such as the Su-7, Su-20, Su-22, MiG-23, and MiG-29.
MiG Alley forms the central part of the Museum’s outdoor exhibition, located on the grounds of the former Rakowice–Czyżyny airfield. Elements of the historic airfield infrastructure have been preserved nearby, including the original taxiway and the apron in front of the Main Hangar.
Since the Museum’s inception, the aircraft in the outdoor exhibition have been constantly exposed to the elements. Sun, rain, snow, humidity, and temperature fluctuations—all these factors affect the condition of the exhibits’ structures and surfaces.
Today, thanks to the support of the Małopolska Region authorities—and in particular Ms. Iwona Gibas, Member of the Małopolska Regional Board responsible for culture – this long-term effort is yielding tangible results: work is commencing on the project titled “Construction of canopies for the Polish Aviation Museum’s permanent outdoor exhibition of MiG aircraft – the ‘MiG Alley’ – including site development.”
The scale of the project is immense. The total roof area will be 4,112 m², with a height of 7 m, a length of 272 m, and a width of 15 m. The roof—made of trapezoidal sheeting reinforced with a membrane—will rest on steel columns formed from light-grey pipes. The estimated dead weight of the structure is approximately 350 tons. Together with the adjacent earth embankment (dating from 1998–2001)—known as the “artificial horizon”—the canopy structure will form a cohesive landscape composition.
The project ultimately envisages the construction of 22 covered stands for MiG aircraft, as well as the creation of a dedicated rest area for visitors. Plans include modern modular canopies, new paved surfaces, and elements of small-scale architecture.
Naturally, the primary function of the new canopies will be protective—limiting the direct impact of weather conditions on the exhibits—yet the project also has an equally important aesthetic and functional dimension.
The design documentation was prepared by the Kraków-based studio Vostok Design, which proposed a solution intended to become an integral part of the exhibition space. The shape of the canopies—evoking wings and the dynamics of flight—was combined with elements of street furniture to create a relaxation zone that complements the outdoor exhibition area.
The goal goes beyond simply ensuring that aircraft which have outlasted their era can safely survive for decades to come. Encountering an aircraft in an open space offers a completely different experience. The opportunity to pause by the machine, view it from various angles, rest in its immediate vicinity, or discuss what has just been seen is all part of the museum experience.
This project is also significant in terms of how we currently understand public funding for culture and the responsibility borne by the entities managing it.
“It is an example of bold yet, above all, responsible thinking regarding public funds—an approach that goes beyond merely financing day-to-day operations to create infrastructure that will serve residents for decades to come. Investments in culture safeguard what cannot be recreated while simultaneously preparing institutions to meet the needs of contemporary audiences. That is precisely why projects like ‘MiG Alley – Renewal’ are more than just construction projects: they are an investment in preserving the heritage of the Małopolska region and ensuring future generations can experience it,” notes Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków.
The total cost of construction work was estimated at nearly PLN 14.9 million in 2024. Given the scale of the investment, a decision was made to divide the project into stages. The majority of the funding for their implementation comes from the budget of the Małopolska Region.
An agreement was concluded with the Małopolska Region on January 21, 2026, enabling the launch of this long-awaited investment project. The accumulated funds will allow for the completion of the project’s first phase by the end of 2026; this phase entails site preparation for four aircraft display positions—including a rest area—and the construction of a canopy for one aircraft.
The project is not funded solely by grants. The Museum is also contributing its own funds, which have been allocated to tasks such as project design, the tendering process, construction supervision, and covering other costs associated with the project’s core scope.
On June 22, 2026, following a tender process, the Museum signed a construction contract with the Kraków-based company Montero Sp. z o.o. The contract covers the base scope of work as well as construction options included in the tender. Preparatory work began in July 2026. Initial activities will consist of archaeological work and earthworks. This is particularly important given the historic nature of the former Rakowice–Czyżyny airfield site. All operations are being carried out in accordance with the final building permit issued in 2025 and under the supervision of the Municipal Heritage Conservator and an archaeologist.
The plan for 2026 is very specific: earthworks and the construction of foundations for four display stands, along with the erection of the first of 22 planned roof structures. This will be the first visible piece of a much larger puzzle. A phased approach will allow for the successive creation of complete exhibition modules designed to showcase military aircraft, including fighter jets and attack-bombers.
