The digital exhibition "Silesia since 1945" is the continuation and expansion of our permanent exhibition, which opened in 2006, and tells the story of Lower and Upper Silesia after the Second World War with the help of around 800 photos and numerous films. In doing so, it provides deep insights into Silesia, which is largely Polish today, but also addresses how displaced Silesians fared in Germany over the past decades.

Silesians in Poland and in Germany

How did the people who lost their homeland in 1945 due to the new border demarcation find a new home after flight, expulsion and barren years? How did they continue their traditions in their new places of residence in the Ruhr area, in Bavaria or in Northern Germany? How did the new Polish inhabitants of the former German towns fare, who had also been expelled from their homes in eastern Poland? What culture emerged when scientists, musicians, clergymen, farmers, teachers, workers or artists came to Lower Silesia from the Lemberg region, for example? And how did the new heterogeneous community cope during the communist period until 1989?

In a total of seven thematic areas - politics, economy, church and religion, culture and nature, as well as sports and tourism - visitors can obtain comprehensive information about the decades between 1945 and the present on tablets and a media wall in the atrium of the museum. In its abundance and variety of topics, this exhibition is unique in Germany!

Enchanting landscapes: Inspiration for a Silesia Vacation

Looking at the photos and reading the concise texts, one becomes both well informed and inspired in a short time. This is because the exhibition does not describe Silesia as a purely historical landscape hidden in history or behind borders. Rather, impressive photographs of the landscape, cities and nature of Silesia make you want to travel the country.

The mountain landscapes from the Krkonoše Mountains in the border triangle to the Owl or Old Father Mountains to the Beskids in southeastern Silesia come within reach through impressive photos. Old mining tunnels, which today can be crossed by canoe, traditional breweries, hiking routes or picturesque river landscapes are presented as travel destinations. Likewise, the Hirschberg Valley, since the 1990s rediscovered by hikers and people who want to relax and appreciate the gentle landscape at the foot of the Giant Mountains. Wroclaw and other architecturally and historically charming cities of Silesia come to life in images from what is now European Poland.

Music and sports

Ultimately, "Silesia since 1945" offers a lot of surprising information and can fill small or large gaps in the knowledge of even Silesia connoisseurs. Music lovers will learn that some of the greatest composers have references to Silesia. Even the cartoon characters Lolek and Bolek are Silesians - just like Janosch, the inventor of the tiger duck Janosch. And even soccer fans and other sports enthusiasts can learn that some of their idols come from Silesia.

The digital presentation was created as part of the project "Silesia - common natural and cultural heritage", which was carried out together with the Krkonoše National Park. The project was funded by the INTERREG Poland-Saxony Cooperation Program 2014-2020.