Faras Gallery of the National Museum in Warsaw

The Faras Gallery displays over 60 medieval wall paintings created with tempera on plaster from the Nile Valley region, depicting religious figures. The collection is supplemented by a scale model of the original cathedral, multimedia presentations, and excavation information available in multiple languages.

Officials rescued these artworks between 1961 and 1964 during a UNESCO campaign before the rising waters of Lake Nasser submerged them. The paintings date from a period when the local population had been following Christian traditions for several centuries.

The paintings show how missionaries from Constantinople influenced local rulers who converted to Christianity and built their cathedral. Today visitors can see the blend of Eastern and African artistic styles reflected in these works, revealing how religion shaped the region's creative traditions.

The room is well organized and clearly marked, with explanations that help visitors understand the displayed works. A visit takes a moderate amount of time and is part of the regular museum collection.

The ceramics and inscriptions in this collection come from local workshops that operated for centuries. These everyday objects provide insight into the daily life of the people who inhabited the region.

Location: Warsaw

Inception: 1972

Part of: National Museum in Warsaw

Address: Aleje Jerozolimskie 3

Website: http://mnw.art.pl/kolekcje/galer/galeria-faras

GPS coordinates: 52.23167,21.02472

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00