The Archaeological Museum of the Amber Trail is set in Tyniec, a place of constant dialogue of cultures, which for millennia has been building its identity at the junction of the Vistula River and the picturesque rocks of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The oldest monastery complex in Poland and a fortified settlement are located in the immediate vicinity, creating a unique chronological triad of evidence of ancient settlement and architectural continuity. The Amber Trail traversing the area shaped trade and cultural contacts for centuries, leaving numerous archaeological traces in the subsoil that still inspire today.
The project of the Archaeological Museum of the Amber Route in Kraków described here was prepared by Maks Hołubowicz, a graduate in architecture from the Jan and Jędrzej Śniadecki University of Technology in Bydgoszcz. It is his engineering diploma project, which he defended in July 2025.
Architectural concept
The lump of the museum refers to the original megalithic forms. The underground part of the building resembles a dolmen, and the rock-textured concrete alludes to the natural stone structures of the Highlands. The mullion and transom wall, cut by massive vertical blocks, enhances the impression of authenticity. The glazed façade provides a subtle contrast to the raw stone elements, while at the same time making the block ‘inject stone into glass’, connecting the interior with the surrounding landscape.
The underground part of the building consists of four barrows-salves, each of which tells the story of a different era. The first barrow takes you to the shelters of the Stone Age, recreating a cool, muffled interior with limited streams of light. The second interior takes you into the world of the Lusatian culture, where moderate humidity and warm lighting tones recreate the atmosphere of rituals and crafts. The third barrow, inspired by the Tyne group identified with the Celts, introduces greenish light and aromatic accents, evoking rituals from the past. The final space, dedicated to the Great Migration of Peoples, reflects the dynamic changes from Roman influence through the Huns and Scythians to the early Slavs, changing the temperature and light intensity to make visitors feel the power of migration.
Integration into the landscape
In accordance with the principle of Genius Loci, the museum fits harmoniously into the Vistula landscape of Tyniec, almost melting into the natural relief of the area. The rock-textured façade corresponds perfectly with the colour and texture of the surrounding formations, and the building, set among the greenery and scenic walking paths, becomes a subtle but distinctive accent to the landscape. The setting between the river and the rocks reinforces the feeling of direct connection to nature and the history of the site.
Structural solutions
The composition of the irregular concrete blocks and glazed walls required precise technological solutions. The massive megalithic elements were designed to penetrate through a shielding sheet of glass, which gives the mass the impression of a sprinkling of raw stone with transparent material. The entire structure rests on stable foundations that minimise the impact on local landslides, and the designed structure guarantees resistance to changing weather conditions and the longevity of the building.
The museum’s design combines respect for archaeological heritage, timeless megalithic form and contemporary aesthetics. The perfect embedding of the building in the historical and landscape context of Tyniec allows for a subtle interplay with nature without disturbing its original charm. Durable materials and robust construction ensure that the building will delight visitors and last for many decades, providing a point of dialogue between past and present.
The museum can enrich the programme with interactive virtual reconstructions, workshops of traditional crafts and a mobile app that provides real-time information about excavations in the region. The organisation of seasonal events, such as an amber festival or classical re-enactments of Lusatian cultural rituals, will attract a diverse audience. In this way, the Archaeological Museum of the Amber Route will become not only a venue for exhibitions, but also a lively centre for education and cooperation with local communities.
design: Maks Hołubowicz
University: Jan and Jędrzej Śniadecki University of Technology Bydgoszcz
Field of study: architecture
Faculty: Construction, Architecture and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor: dr in. arch. Małgorzata Kaus (for the first months dr inż. arch. Robert Łucka)
Title of engineering thesis: Architectural conceptual design of the Archaeological Museum of the Amber Trail in Kraków
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