The subject of the project was to launch a permanent exhibition dedicated to three outstanding cryptologists: Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki and Henryk Zygalski, in the former Collegium Historicum building (Św. Marcin 78 in Poznan).
Previously, there had been a Prussian military inspectorate here. After 1918, the building of the Inspectorate continued to serve the army, but the Polish one. On the other hand, the nearby Castle, the seat of the Kaiser, after 1918 became one of the residences of the President of the Republic of Poland, and parts of the building were allocated for the needs of the University of Poznan. It was at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences functioning here that candidates for a secret cryptology course organized in 1929 by the Polish radio intelligence were selected from among the best students. Talented students, among them the aforementioned cryptologists, joined the ranks of the Poznan branch of the Cipher Bureau, located in the building of the Inspectorate across the street. The gained cryptological experience led, albeit in Warsaw, to breaking the cipher of the German Enigma machine in 1932.
The tasks planned within the project consisted in the adaptation of rooms located on the first floor of the building, the purchase of equipment necessary for the functioning of the museum, and the development and production of multimedia content. An interactive exhibition was created, containing modern technologies as well as traditional solutions (diorama, workshop stations or tasks for visitors using props).
This place popularizes knowledge about cryptology, mathematics and computer science. The exhibition emphasizes the significance of breaking the Enigma for modern digital solutions. The Enigma model was launched, giving the opportunity to learn the basics of its operation and how to encrypt messages. The permanent exhibition presents the history of warfare and the development of mathematical sciences, including links between encryption devices and the later development of computers.
Visitors can take advantage of four sightseeing paths. Three are adapted to the needs of people with disabilities: the path with audio description, with easy-to-understand text and with Polish sign language. Guests from abroad can use audio guides in three languages: English, German and Russian. For the youngest, there is the Cipher Zone, a special place for whole families, inspiring to independently acquire knowledge.
City of Poznan
WRPO 2014+
European Regional Development Fund
