On 22 May 2025, an exceptional scientific and expert event took place at the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków: a session of the “Architectura Militaris” Section of the Urban Planning and Architecture Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, combined with a field seminar entitled “Protection and revitalisation of monuments and the aviation landscape on the grounds of the historic Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield in Kraków – on the 30th anniversary of the expansion of the Polish Aviation Museum’s grounds”.
The event brought together experts in architecture, urban planning, monument conservation, cultural landscape, as well as students from the Faculty of Architecture of the Kraków University of Technology. The aim of the meeting was to summarise conservation activities to date and discuss key issues related to the protection and development of the unique spatial heritage represented by the former Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield – the cradle of Polish military aviation and the seat of the Museum.
The meeting began in the conference room of the Museum’s Main Building, where Tomasz Krzaczyński – Deputy Director for Administration and Investment – presented the Museum’s investment plans, with particular emphasis on the new permanent exhibition “With the Wind and Against the Wind. Civil Aviation” in the reconstructed Hangar No. 5 and plans for the revitalisation of the former airfield grounds. This was followed by a curatorial field seminar, during which the spatial structure of the historic complex and current planning problems and potentials of the entire area were presented.
Speakers in the paper session included: Tomasz Krzaczyński with a presentation on Conservation and spatial issues of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, Dr Eng. Arch. Krzysztof Wielgus (Kraków University of Technology), who pointed out the unique and universal values of the former airfield as a cultural landscape, and Dr Eng. Arch. Jan Janczykowski, who presented the pioneering nature of the airfield’s listing in the register of monuments and its impact on the protection policy for this area.
An important element of the event was also an exhibition of works by students from the Faculty of Architecture of the Kraków University of Technology, created as part of the course “Revitalisation of Post-Industrial Areas”. The young architects presented their concepts for the development of the former Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield – with respect for its indisputable historical and spatial values. The works showcased the potential of this space as a place of remembrance, education, culture and recreation.
The culminating point of the session was the unanimous adoption by members of the “Architectura Militaris” Section of the Urban Planning and Architecture Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences of three resolutions that are in line with the Museum’s mission regarding the protection and promotion of aviation heritage:
The event confirmed how important cooperation with scientific institutions, the academic community, conservation services and representatives of culture and education is for the Polish Aviation Museum. It is precisely joint efforts and an integrated approach that make it possible to effectively protect and develop the unique heritage found on the grounds of the former Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield.
We thank all participants and speakers for their engagement and support for our activities. The seminar and Section session represent another step towards granting the former Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield complex its rightful status as a Historic Monument of the Republic of Poland – a status that would reflect its value, significance and role in Polish cultural heritage.
We encourage you to view the photo report from the session and the curatorial walk:
