The Center of Slavs and Vikings Wolin-Jomsborg-Vineta is an open-air museum on Ostrów Island, located between Wolin and Recław, by the Dziwna River. It's a reconstruction of an early medieval settlement inspired by archaeological excavations carried out in Wolin - these are not original huts from a thousand years ago, but a faithful recreation of what life for the area's former inhabitants might have looked like.
What will you see?
On the open-air museum grounds you'll find, among other things:
- reconstructed huts
- craft workshops
- wooden roads
- defensive ramparts
- replicas of everyday objects and weapons
A big plus is that not everything is viewed from behind glass. You can go inside the huts, touch some of the exhibits, sit on the furnishings, and sometimes even try on pieces of armor or catch workshops and craft demonstrations. A self-guided visit usually takes about an hour. For an extra fee, you can also hire a guide.
It's not the same as the Festival of Slavs and Vikings
It's worth distinguishing these two attractions. The Festival of Slavs and Vikings takes place only for a few days at the turn of July and August and draws crowds of reenactors, warriors, and visitors.
The open-air museum itself can be visited throughout the season - also when Ostrów is quiet and you can calmly look around the huts, workshops, and ramparts. It's a completely different experience than during the festival.
Season and opening hours
The open-air museum is open seasonally from April to October:
- April-June: 10:00-16:00
- July-August: 10:00-18:00
- September-October: 10:00-16:00
The last tickets are sold about 30 minutes before closing. In winter, the site is closed.
Tickets
Outside the festival and special events, a separate open-air museum price list applies. Standard and reduced tickets are available, groups pay less, children under 5 enter for free, and residents of the Wolin commune can enter for free upon showing the appropriate document.
Festival of Slavs and Vikings prices are different from regular sightseeing prices. It's best to always check the current price list at jomsborg-vineta.com. Souvenirs on site may be available only for cash.
Good to know
The island is surrounded by water, and the open-air museum has a natural, historical character. There are steep embankments, wooden stairs, high thresholds, and low entrances to the huts. After rain, the wooden elements can be slippery, so with children it's worth being a bit more careful.
Dogs are welcome, but they should be kept on a leash.
How to get there?
Address: Recław 37, 72-510 Wolin
It's most convenient to get there from the Recław side rather than through the center of Wolin. Visitor parking is usually free outside festival days. During the Festival of Slavs and Vikings, traffic organization works differently and you often have to leave your car in Wolin or Recław.
From the viewing tower in the city park in Wolin, the open-air museum is very clearly visible, but remember that the viewing tower and the Center of Slavs and Vikings are two separate attractions.
Why is it worth it?
It's a great option for families, children, and anyone who wants to see something more than just the beach during a seaside stay. Here you can not only read about history, but step into a reconstructed settlement, see old crafts up close, and feel the atmosphere of early medieval Wolin.
If you visit outside the festival, it'll be quieter and more intimate. If you come during the festival, the whole island turns into a huge living settlement full of reenactors, performances, music, and battles.