Do weapons as war-related objects have a place in a museum dedicated to art?
This dilemma has accompanied the National Museum in Cracow since its inception in 1879, when the first gifts and deposits consisting of military historical memorabilia began arriving in Cracow. Poles from all annexations, thrilled by the idea of establishing the first national institution on Polish soil, wanted to support it generously with all donations in the form of personal and family trinkets, among which a sizable number were old militaria. In time, they formed one of the largest collections of ancient weapons on Polish soil, and at the same time a treasury of memorabilia considered important to Polish and world heritage.
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