warsaw zoo virtual tour

• ZOO History
• Animal species
• ZOOmaniacs at work
• Volunteering and internships
• How to help animals?
• Bird Asylum
• Buy a ticket on-line
• Opening hours
• How to get there?
• Feeding hours
• Other attractions
• Map of the Zoo
• Educational path
• Read before visiting the Zoo
• After the visit
• More about our animals
• Virtual tour
• Educational offer
• Who teaches in the Garden?
• More about us and our annimals
• Role of zoological gardens

Żabiński Villa

Touring the villa.

Guided tours

The Żabiński Villa can only be visited with a guide. The date of the trip should be arranged by phone (+48 603 059 758) or by e-mail ([email protected]). Without reservations – on the first Sunday of the month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The maximum number of people who can enter the Villa at one time is 25. The tour also includes a tour of the cellars where the Jews were hidden. The tour is paid, additional 10 PLN per person.

• Zoo tickets
• Rules of the zoo
• How to get there
• Main attractions
• For media
• Public procurements
• Lease, rent, sale
• Public information bulletin
• Animal adoption
• Zoo fanclub

Ratuszowa 1/3 03-461 Warsaw, Poland phone: +48 (22) 619 40 41 fax: +48 (22) 619 58 98 e-mail: zoo|zoo.waw.pl| |zoo|zoo.waw.pl

security: +48 (22) 619 40 41

Ratuszowa 1/3  phone:   +48 (22) 619 40 41  ext. 5 e-mail:  pok|zoo.waw.pl | |pok|zoo.waw.pl 

At the customer service centre, you can obtain a yearly pass, purchase one-time tickets, get an invoice and find general information about the zoological garden

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

• Dworzec Wileński • 10 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

WARSAW ZOO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.71 mi) Oki Doki OLD TOWN Hostel
• (0.71 mi) Mamaison Hotel Le Regina Warsaw
• (0.59 mi) MONDRIAN Luxury Suites & Apartments Warsaw
• (0.78 mi) Safestay Warsaw Old Town
• (0.62 mi) Castle Inn
• (0.01 mi) Belwederek
• (0.32 mi) Le Cedre 61
• (0.57 mi) Zachcianek Pierogarnia
• (0.67 mi) Stolica
• (0.68 mi) Pod Samsonem

Warsaw Zoological Gardens

Established in 1928, this well-managed zoo is home to some 3000 animals representing 500 species from across the world, including bears, wolves, hippopotamuses and two male gorillas. There are even sharks and other sea creatures in what is Poland's largest aquarium. The elephant house, where there's also a cafe, is particularly impressive and the leafy grounds make for pleasant wandering throughout the year.

Within the zoo, you can arrange a tour of the Żabińskis' Villa , home before and during WWII to zoo director Jan Żabiński and his wife Antonia; their story of war-time heroism was made famous by the book and movie The Zookeeper's Wife .

ul Ratuszowa 1/3. Nowa Praga

Get In Touch

22 619 4041

https://​zoo​.waw​.pl​​/

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Wilanów Palace

Warsaw’s top palace, 10km south of the city centre, was commissioned by King Jan III Sobieski in 1677. It has changed hands several times over the…

Palace of Culture & Science

For over 60 years this socialist realist palace has dominated central Warsaw. A ‘gift of friendship’ from the Soviet Union, it was completed in 1955 and…

Royal Castle

This remarkable copy of the original castle blown up by the Germans in WWII is filled with authentic period furniture and original works of art…

Warsaw Rising Museum

This exceptional museum, housed in a former tram power station and its surrounding grounds, traces the history of the city's heroic but doomed uprising…

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Housed in one of Warsaw's best examples of contemporary architecture, this award-winning museum documents 1000 years of Jewish history in Poland. The…

Copernicus Science Centre

The fully interactive, push-the-buttons-and-see-what-happens Copernicus Science Centre pulls off that tricky feat of being both hugely fun and educational…

Łazienki Park

Pronounced wah-zhen-kee, this beautiful park includes manicured gardens, an ornamental lake, wooded glades and strutting peacocks. Once a hunting ground,…

Fryderyk Chopin Museum

This multimedia museum within the baroque Ostrogski Palace showcases the work of Poland’s most famous composer. You’re encouraged to take your time…

Nearby Warsaw attractions

1 . Żabińskis' Villa

The incredible true life story of how zoo director Jan Żabiński and his wife Antonia helped save over 70 Jews during WWII has become famous through the…

2 . Park Praski

Created in the late 19th century, this attractively laid-out park includes quirky contemporary sculptures such as the giant metal Giraffe by Władysław…

3 . Rusałka Beach

There's a great view of the Old Town skyline from this popular beach on the east bank of the Vistula, close by the zoo. Several cafe-bars set up on the…

4 . St Michael & St Florian Cathedral

Completed in 1904 to the design of Józef Dziekoński, this neo-Gothic-style cathedral has twin 75m spires that were deliberately built taller than the…

5 . St Mary Magdalene Cathedral

It's impossible to miss the five onion-shaped domes of Warsaw's main Polish Orthodox cathedral. Built in 1869 to serve the growing number of Russians…

6 . Praga Courtyard Band Monument

This bronze monument by Andrzej Renes commemorates the five-piece bands (violinist, accordianist, guitarist, banjoist and drummer) who played popular…

7 . Former Mikveh

A mikveh is a bath used by religious Jewish women for monthly ritual cleansing – this red-brick building completed in 1913 used to contain one and stood…

8 . Heritage Interpretation Centre

At the end of WWII the Old Town was mostly piles of rubble. To gain a full appreciation of the mammoth and heroic effort needed to reconstruct the…

• WORK WITH US
• MEET THE FAM
• BABY + TODDLER TIPS
• TRAVEL ESSENTIALS + GEAR
• TRAVEL STORE

Stuck at home with kids and going kooky? This epic list of virtual zoo tours and aquariums from around the world will (hopefully) provide kids with a few hours of entertainment, and grownups with a smidge of regained sanity.

Things are completely berserk right now – not gonna lie. But, you have to admit that living through a global pandemic in the 21st century really ain’t all that bad. I mean, on the bright side, we have the Internet, liquor stores and an infinite online catalogue of hilarious memes to keep us entertained.

Fellow parents, this enlightening virtual zoo and aquariums post aims to create an ‘occupation’ for the kids so that us poor souls can quietly resume watching Tiger King or scrolling through funny quarantine videos on Tik Tok.

Psst.. You can find us on Tik Tok here for a daily dose of quarantine laughs.

Alright, folks. Whip out your VR goggles or get the TV ready for casting – we are about to embark on a whirlwind trip around the world to experience the best aquariums and virtual zoo tours on all four corners of the planet. Best of all.. You won’t even have to lift a finger. Okay, maybe just one finger for clicking.

Looking for more travel tips for families?

13 Tips for Keeping Healthy while Travelling

14 Ways to Help Toddlers Sleep on Planes

The Best Portable Baby Beds for Travel

But first, watch our video on 12 genius ideas to enjoy a pretend ‘holiday’ at home for days where you and the littles are experiencing a serious case of travel withdrawals.

18 Best Virtual Zoos & Aquariums in the World

Strap on your ‘seatbelts’ and virtual reality headset (if you own a pair), we’re about to take you on a wild ride through four continents to experience a string of virtual field trips to the zoo and aquariums like you’ve never experienced before.

North America: Virtual Zoo Tours & Aquariums

Home to world-class zoos and one of the most remarkable aquariums we’ve ever set foot inside *ahem* Georgia Aquarium, North America is one virtual trip you have to take to ogle at pandas, Beluga whales and even piranhas via 24-hour live cams.

San Diego Zoo

If there’s one virtual zoo trip to place on top of your online ‘travel’ bucket list – it’s San Diego Zoo.

Slide into their live cams to take a peek at the daily shenanigans of tigers, elephants, baboons and more adorable four-legged fur friends that will steal your hearts away.

But wait, guys. There’s more to your San Diego Zoo virtual tour and online experience. Way more. Ensure that you pop a visit to the dedicated kids’ section of the website for a myriad of animal-focused learning activities, art and crafts video tutorials, home experiment ideas and educational games.

Oh, and if you have a VR headset handy, now’s the time to pop them over your head and check into their YouTube channel to immerse yourselves in 360º videos, like this one of giant tortoises eating watermelon.

Atlanta Zoo

In need of a cute animal fix that’s not your own household pet? Atlanta Zoo has got you covered with their world-famous live PandaCam . Meet the ridiculously adorable panda twins, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, who are melting hearts across the globe with their playful antics and just all-round cuteness.

Don’t forget to swing by their Facebook page to experience what basically feels like virtual field trips to the zoo, featuring regular keeper talks and behind-the-scenes insight into animals and their diets and lifestyle.

The website also offers a host of fun activities and lessons that support ‘at home learning’, like animal arts and crafts, backyard bingo and a storybooks packed with hands-on activities.

TIP: Download the WILDEVERSE mobile game, which features real-life characters from Atlanta Zoo. Transform your home into a digital jungle and embark on research quests and missions to find endangered apes. 

Cincinnati Zoo

Hopping over a couple of states north to Ohio, we’re going to spring into Cincinnati Zoo to meet the world’s most famous hippopotamus, Fiona. Follow this immersive virtual zoo tour to get a feel of the space, exhibits and animals.

Swing by their Facebook page to tune into The Fiona Show where you can watch videos of her birth and follow her astonishing progress and growth. She’s the only hippo ever to survive an almost 2-month premature birth.

They also host daily virtual safari live streams, in which you can learn all about the zoo’s resident animals, including their diets, personalities and lifestyles.

Toronto Zoo

Slip into your down jackets because I’m about to beam you further up to the chillier regions of the northern hemisphere. Ready? Get set. Click away.

Explore Toronto Zoo’s YouTube channel to get up close and personal to mighty grizzly bears,  fluffy white Arctic foxes, lynxes, and even Masai giraffes.

If you’re keen to experience a virtual zoo trip to this beautiful destination, take a look at this complete walkthrough which lets viewers enjoy the zoo on a snowy winter day.

Georgia Aquarium

Yes. We’re parents and.. yes, we love to travel, so I can safely say that we’ve been to a crapload of aquariums around the world. If there isn’t an aquarium on our city itinerary, then something has gone horribly wrong in the planning process.

Of all the aquariums we have visited, none have, so far, compared to Georgia Aquarium. Not even close. If you’re an aquarium nut like we are – you need to put a  physical visit to this spectacular place on your travel bucket list.

For now, you can, of course, experience this epic aquarium virtually via their virtual aquarium tour and live cam feed where you can soothe your soul gazing at dancing jellyfish or stare in awe at the Beluga whale. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Attention, please. It’s time to choose your snack, sink into the couch and get cozy; your self-guided Monterey Bay Aquarium virtual tour is about to begin.

Step one. Cast this 360° aquarium walkthrough to your TV or don your virtual reality headset ’cause things are about to go down in underwater town.

Virtually meet and learn about Monterey Bay Aquarium’s resident marine animals on their interactive website, or stalk your favourite sea animal’s live cam . 

You can even enrol in free online courses comprising guided activities to support learning at home or engage the kiddos in free virtual zoo games that both educate and entertain.

Want more insider tips for surviving the stay-at-home life with kids?

Join thousands of subscribers and get fun and creative tips and ideas delivered straight to your inbox.

Asia: Virtual Zoos & Aquariums

Exotic rainforest virtual zoo tours and thrilling night safaris – discover Asia’s most enchanting zoos and aquariums without having to peel yourself off the couch. 

Singapore Zoo

Okay, so Asia is off-limits right now. I mean, pretty much every continent is out of reach at this moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a virtual field trip to this incredible zoo in South East Asia that everyone raves about.

Get a feel of Singapore Zoo and what animals you can expect to encounter in our very own walkthrough guide that we filmed on one of our visits or read up on the zoo’s resident animals.

Hold up a second though. Your journey doesn’t end at the Singapore Zoo. Drop into the Singapore River Safari for a virtual walkthrough tour and meet weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit rivers around the world.

Your adventure continues onwards to the Singapore Night Safari where you can view a hypnotising fire show , witness an impressive animal show , and hop on a tram car to discover nocturnal animals in their open exhibits.

Check out our Singapore virtual zoo guide to see the highlights of this open zoo concept.

Jurong Bird Park

While we’re in Singapore, let’s take a hot moment to visit one of the biggest bird parks in the world where you can make a feeble attempt at identifying up to 3,500 birds across 400 species from all over the world.

Discover the diverse zones inhabited by bird species from all corners of the Earth, meet the winged residents of Jurong Bird Park or take a virtual stroll through the lush, green space that will give you all the jungle vibes 

YOU MIGHT LIKE:  30 Fun Places to go in Singapore with Kids

Aquaria KLCC

Swing into Aquaria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on one of your free virtual field trips to zoos and aquariums around the world and tune into marine animal feedings and educational talks on their 24-hour live streaming cam .

Don’t forget to check their Facebook for the schedule.

Meet the spine-chilling Sand Tiger Shark and his stingray buddies, or chill out with laid-back Green Sea Turtles that all dwell inside the Living Ocean tank.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Set off on a virtual aquarium tour at the magnificent Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo located in the glittering capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The tour isn’t just an ordinary virtual field trip of your average aquarium; this epic space also doubles as a zoo. Be prepared to encounter fruit bats, desert hedgehogs, cobras, chameleons.

Pop over to their Facebook page to learn fun animal facts and binge on videos of iguanas, hedgehogs and racoons freely roaming the empty aquarium.

Australia: Virtual Zoos & Aquariums

Kangaroos? Check. Koalas? No doubt. Tasmanian Devil? Yeah, baby. It’s time for a trip downunder to meet friendly Aussie animals and not-so-friendly creatures and crawlies that either bite or kill.

Taronga Zoo 

To experience one of the southern hemisphere’s best virtual zoos, you can’t go past Sydney’s newly launched Taronga TV . Tune into the live cams to view animal exhibits, shows, keeper chats, and even take a peek inside the Wildlife Hospital.

Hit up Taronga’s YouTube channel to witness funny animal antics and catch up on missed shows and performances. This video of a lemur baking in the sun is basically all of us right now when the sun touches our windows in quarantine.

Sea Life & Wild Life Sydney

Sea Life and Wild Life Sydney have recently launched their fun and super educational online virtual zoo and aquarium experiences. Prepare yourselves for hours worth of fun family activities and homeschooling content.

Dive into the virtual aquarium experience and meet dugongs and King penguins in live streams, or gape at aquarists throwing themselves into the shark tank to feed hungry sea predators.

If you’re running low on learning activities for the kiddos, you’ll also find a bunch of marine animal-themed craft activities and free downloadable homeschooling resources and activity sheets .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tina ft. 2 boys & 1 man child (@hangrybynature) on May 8, 2019 at 4:37am PDT

A virtual visit to Sea Life wouldn’t be complete without popping into Wild Life Sydney to learn all about Australian animals that are slightly more.. grounded.

Peek into live streams to see what Rocky the croc is up to or join in on storytime events run by the zoo staff on the virtual zoo tours page. You’ll also find printable animal-themed colouring pages, plus fact and activity sheets.

Before you leave, don’t forget to drop by  Merlin’s Education Toolbox for even more activities and workbooks, especially helpful for parents seeking homeschooling resources or teachers looking for lesson content. 

READ MORE: 21 Romantic Date Ideas in Sydney

Europe: Virtual Zoos & Aquariums

The last continent we’ll be virtually teleporting you to on this worldwide virtual safari, zoo and aquarium tour is, of course, good ole Europe. Home to the world’s oldest zoo and the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins – your roundtrip will end with a little history and class.

Germany’s capital can proudly claim to have the most popular zoo in all of Europe. Berlin Zoo houses a whopping collection of over 20,000 animals across 1,500 different species – more than any zoo on the planet.

Considering none of us can currently visit in person, we can thank the Internet once again for this high-resolution walkthrough , making it possible to meet some of the friendly furry residents of the zoo, virtually.

Oh, and I’m just gonna casually mention that they have PANDA CUBS, guys. *Hyperventilating*. Jump onto their Facebook to meet the twinning cuties, Pit and Paule. Right now. It’ll be the most adorable thing you’ll see all week.

You can stalk them trying to catch some snoozy time below…

Speaking of stalking animals (cos that’s socially acceptable, right?), Prague Zoo houses a baby elephant that online visitors can attempt to spot on their live Elephant Valley cam . Pop by their YouTube channel for more adorable moments and to follow its journey from birth.

Watch this 4k  walkthrough of the zoo and try to spot mighty Western Lowland gorillas, polar bears, hippos, Asian elephants, red pandas and many more cute and intimidating animals.

RELATED: 13 Ways to Stay Healthy While Travelling

Edinburgh Zoo

This was the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins – in fact, Edinburgh Zoo is popularly known for its Penguin Parade, where waddling little penguins are let free their enclosure for a stroll around the space.

Observe the antics of King and Rockhopper penguins on live cams , as well as koalas, tigers and pandas.

They’ve made their learning portal readily accessible – the online hub is packed with free activities, games, quizzes and fact files for kids of all ages.

Hang tight – just gonna beam you over to our final leg of virtual zoo tours around the world in Vienna. The city is home to the world’s oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, which opened its doors in 1752.

Soak in this gorgeous space in this virtual zoo stroll and meet animals from all around the world and, of course, explore the picturesque landscape that surrounds the zoo. 

Keep an eye out for the zoo’s newest sensation, Finja – a polar bear cub. Watch her birth and everyday life on Vienna Zoo’s YouTube channel .

Have you got more ideas to add to the list?

Hit me up in the comments and let me know what virtual little gems you’ve found in isolation, so that together, we may survive being confined inside four walls with perpetually bored kids.

Explore more Virtual Travel Guides

• Take a look at the new JetKids Travel Backpack for kids
• Find the best portable baby & toddlers beds for under $100
• Discover 28 essentials for a family beach vacation to pack for your trip

Loved this post? Share the inspiration on Pinterest.

Get more out of your Family Trip

Take a look at our Travel Resources to find the best deals on flights, accommodation and attractions. Find mistake fares, the cheapest date to fly each month, hotel and apartment savings, plus where to buy the cheapest tickets for attractions.

Looking for some sweet travel deals? You’re in for a treat.

•  Get $40 USD / $50 AUD OFF your first Airbnb booking

•  Book discounted attraction tickets on Klook .

Come say “HEY!” on Instagram or Facey . I like to think I’m a self-proclaimed comedian, all the while providing some lit AF travel tips. You be the judge.

• Uncategorized

10 Inspirational Family Travelers Who Live By Their Own Rules

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

• Dworzec Wileński • 10 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Warsaw Zoo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.71 mi) Oki Doki OLD TOWN Hostel
• (0.71 mi) Mamaison Hotel Le Regina Warsaw
• (0.59 mi) MONDRIAN Luxury Suites & Apartments Warsaw
• (0.78 mi) Safestay Warsaw Old Town
• (0.62 mi) Castle Inn
• (0.01 mi) Belwederek
• (0.32 mi) Le Cedre 61
• (0.57 mi) Zachcianek Pierogarnia
• (0.67 mi) Stolica
• (0.68 mi) Pod Samsonem

• High contrast
• Reverse contrast (yellow over black)
• Accessibility statement
• Educational Materials in other Languages
• Login / Sign-in Remember me Sign in
• Accessibility

• Reserve your Visit
• About the Holocaust
• The Holocaust Resource Center
• This Month in Holocaust History
• Video Lectures
• Video Testimony Resource Center
• The Middle East Conflict, Antisemitism and the Holocaust
• Shoah Names Database
• The Photo Archive
• Righteous Database
• The Documents Archive
• Survivor Testimonies
• Deportations Database
• The Artifacts Collection
• The Library
• Online Film Catalog
• About the Archives
• Reference and Information Services
• Hall of Names
• Gathering the Fragments
• About the Institute
• Publications
• Yad Vashem Studies
• Events of the Intl Institute
• Postdoc Fellowships
• Educational Materials
• Educational Videos
• For Educators in Jewish Frameworks
• Online Courses
• e-Newsletter
• International Projects
• International Conferences
• Echoes & Reflections
• The Holocaust History Museum
• The Art Museum
• Exhibitions Pavilion
• ready2print Exhibitions
• Online Exhibitions
• "Shoah"- Auschwitz-Birkenau
• Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024
• Holocaust Remembrance Day Through the Years
• Online Torchlighter Film Archive
• Int. Holocaust Remembrance Day
• Download Pages of Testimony
• Survivor Forms
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah Twinning Program
• The Shoah Victims' Names Recovery Project
• About the Righteous
• About the Program
• "I Am My Brother's Keeper". A Tribute to the Righteous
• Featured Stories
• Names of Righteous by Country
• We Seek Your Help
• How to Apply
• Opening Hours
• Reserve Your Visit Online
• Transportation and Parking
• Plan Your Visit

Sunday to Thursday: ‬09:00-17:00

Fridays and Holiday eves: ‬09:00-14:00

Yad Vashem is closed on Saturdays and all Jewish Holidays.

Entrance to the Holocaust History Museum is not permitted for children under the age of 10. Babies in strollers or carriers will not be permitted to enter.

• The Holocaust
• Digital Collections
• Exhibitions
• Remembrance
• The Righteous Among the Nations

Jan and Antonina Zabinski

© Warsaw Zoo

• From the letter of Irena Meizel to Yad Vashem, November 1962

Hiding in Zoo Cages

By the 1930's the Warsaw Zoo had become one of Europe's largest zoos. Its expanded area housed many animals. This prosperity was, however, short lived. When World War II broke out extensive parts of the zoo were destroyed in the bombings, many animals were killed, and others, including the zoo's special attraction – the elephant Tuzinka – were taken to Germany.

Dr. Jan Zabinski was the director of the zoo. He was the author of many popular-knowledge books about biology and the psychology of animals, as well as the producer of a number of very popular radio-shows. Despite the enormous problems he faced as the director of a zoo during wartime, he was not blind to the suffering of the Jews. When the Warsaw ghetto was established Jan and his wife, Antonina, began helping their Jewish friends. As an employee of the Warsaw municipality he was allowed to enter the ghetto. Under the pretext of supervising the trees and small public garden within the ghetto area, he visited his Jewish acquaintances and helped them as best as he could. As the situation in the ghetto deteriorated, he offered them shelter.

“Dr. Zabinski, with exceptional modesty and without any self-interest, occupied himself with the fates of his prewar Jewish suppliers... different acquaintances as well as strangers,” wrote Irena Meizel. She added: “He helped them get over to Aryan side, provided them with indispensable personal documents, looked for accommodations, and when necessary hid them at his villa or on the zoo’s grounds.” Regina Koenigstein described Zabinski's home as a modern "Noah's ark". According to the testimonies, many Jews found temporary shelter in the zoo’s abandoned animal cells, until they were able to relocate to permanent places of refuge elsewhere. In addition, close to a dozen Jews were sheltered in Zabinski's two-story private home on the zoo's grounds. In this dangerous undertaking he was helped by his wife, Antonina, a recognized author, and their young son, Ryszard, who supplied food and looked after the needs of the many distraught Jews in their care.

Rachel Auerbach, who took part in the attempts to create a clandestine ghetto archive and who played an important role in documenting the story of the Warsaw ghetto, was in contact with Zabinski all through that period. After the ghetto was liquidated, she went into hiding and continued to work on her diary, recording events for posterity. As the front came closer to Warsaw, she gave one of her notebooks to Zabinski. He put it in a glass jar and buried it in the zoo grounds. In April 1945 Rachel Auerbach was able to retrieve her manuscript and publish it.

An active member of the Polish underground Armia Krajowa (Home Army), Zabinski participated in the Polish uprising in Warsaw of August and September 1944. Upon its suppression, he was taken as a prisoner to Germany. His wife continued his work, looking after the needs of some of the Jews left behind in the ruins of the city. Jan wrote in his own testimony explaining his motives: “I do not belong to any party, and no party program was my guide during the occupation... I am a Pole – a democrat. My deeds were and are a consequence of a certain psychological composition, a result of progressive-humanistic upbringing, which I received at home as well as in Kreczmar High School. Many times I wished to analyze the causes for dislike for Jews and I could not find any, besides artificially formed ones.”

On September 21, 1965, Yad Vashem recognized Jan Zabinski and his wife, Antonina Zabinska, as Righteous Among the Nations. On October 30, 1968 Dr. Jan Zabinski planted a tree on the Mount of Remembrance.

Supported By: Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany

Subscription for e-Newsletter

Thank you for registering to receive information from Yad Vashem.

You will receive periodic updates regarding recent events, publications and new initiatives.

• Plan Your Visit to Yad Vashem
• Explore Our About the Holocaust Resources
• View Our Online Exhibitions
• Access our Resources for Educators
• Yad Vashem Blog
• Shop Our Online Store
• Support Yad Vashem
• Holocaust Remembrance Days
• ready2print exhibitions
• The Museum of Holocaust Art
• Artifacts Collection
• Shoah Victims Name Recovery Project
• Search Our Digital Collections
• Shoah Victims' Names Database
• The Righteous Database
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy

"The work of Yad Vashem is critical and necessary to remind the world of the consequences of hate"

#GivingTuesday Donate to Educate Against Hate

Interested in receiving information and updates from Yad Vashem?

Worldwide antisemitism is on the rise.

At Yad Vashem, we strive to make the world a better place by combating antisemitism through teacher training, international lectures and workshops and online courses.

We need you to partner with us in this vital mission to #EducateAgainstHate

New Yad Vashem website redirection

The good news:

The Yad Vashem website had recently undergone a major upgrade!

The less good news:

The page you are looking for has apparently been moved.

We are therefore redirecting you to what we hope will be a useful landing page.

For any questions/clarifications/problems, please contact: [email protected]

Press the X button to continue

+48 507 980 921 (mob)

+48 22 567 66 97

Mon – Sun 8.00 – 18.00

Zabinski Villa

• Book a tour

EUR 1.5 per person

Image © walking poland   |    deutsch.

Short description

T he Zabinski Villa stands barely 200 metres from the main entrance to Warsaw ZOO. Some will know the film “The Zoo Director’s Wife”. This villa is the source of the couple and the whole story.

The Zabinski family lived in this house from 1931 and it was one of the few buildings in the zoo not being destroyed during World War 2.

After the war, the interior decoration was adapted to the style of the 1930s. Numerous private objects are exhibited in the building. The cellar, where Jews, who were persecuted simply for being Jewish, were kept, has also been renovated and can be visited.

In the former dining room there is also a collection of the world-famous entomologist of Jewish origin Szymon Tenenbaum . He was locked up in the ghetto in 1941 and gave his valuable insect collection to Jan Zabinski. Today the collection is mainly in the Ponian Academy of Sciences, part of it is in the villa.

The former dining room, the salon, the study including the library and the cellar area can be visited.

Why do we conditionally recommend this museum?

The visit to the villa is related to a specific theme not known to everybody. In this respect, we can only recommend the museum to those who already have a certain premonition. A visit is very interesting if you have seen the film “The Zookeeper´s wife” beforehand.

Topic of the exhibition

Space and time, in the touristic area, contact (museum).

Opening hours

Audioguides, internal museum guides, language of the descriptions, payment methodes.

Visit to the villa

The Zabinski Villa can only be visited with a museum guide. The tour must be arranged in advance by phone +48 603 059 785 or via email [email protected] .

There are also tours on the first Sunday of every month at 11 am and then at 1 pm.

There is a maximum of 25 people in the building (even if there is no pandemic gripping the world).

PLEASE NOTE  The guided tour costs 5 PLN per person. However, you still have to pay the entrance fee to the zoo!

Website of the museum

zoo.waw.pl/en/zabinski-villa/history [en + pl]

The villa is located within the zoo borders. We have created a separate overview for the ZOO.

E-ticket on the museum website

The museum has no online booking system.

Our tips in the area?

Only 5 minutes away is a sandy beach open to the public. There is a bar and a ferry connection there. To use the ferry, you can use the normal public transport tickets (these must be bought in advance).

Best museums in Warsaw

Centre for Contemporary Art

Chopin Museum

Jewish Historical Institute

National Museum

Do you have a question about the overview? Send us a message! We are happy to help.

Name (*) Email (*) Subject (*) Message (*)

Żabiński Villa

Make an appointment to visit the villa of Jan Żabiński, a zoologist and a long-time director of the Warsaw Zoological Garden. During World War II, he and his family hid people who needed help in their home, mainly Jews escaped from the ghetto. You will see here the same piano as the one on which Antonina Żabińska played, using it to send danger signals to the illegal tenants.

In the basement, where the hideout was located, there is a room of memory for Magdalena Gross, the author of many animal sculptures. You will also see films about the pre-war Jewish district and the activities of the villa owners. The names of people rescued by Żabińskis are listed on the walls. Those who survived the Holocaust thanks to them later testified at the Yad Vashem Institute about their heroism. It is estimated that thanks to the help of the Żabińskis, as many as 300 people survived. For their actions, Antonina and Jan were honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations.

The unusual story written by the director’s wife was turned into the screenplay for Diane Ackerman’s book ‘The Zookeeper’s Wife’. A Hollywood hit of the same name was made based on it.

• ul. Ratuszowa 1/3
• zoo.waw.pl/en/zabinski-villa/history