Any individual who visits Hungary will inform you that it is a nation of numerous cultures. Hungary in the past has been governed by various significant empires including the Romans, the Ottomans, Soviets, Mongols, Magyars, and Czechs. Needless to say, the nation has a relatively volatile history and this has resulted in an abundance of museum-worthy artifacts and relics. Two defeated wars, the holocaust, and decades of communism along with ancient historical events have led to the accumulation of numerous materials appropriate for museums. Consequently, many museums in Hungary were established. There are also numerous art museums in Hungary that showcase the Hungarian and European artworks.
10 Finest Museums In Hungary
Here we have compiled a list of 10 finest Hungary museums, which you would adore to explore on your Hungary excursion.
1. Hungarian National Museum
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This is the oldest museum in Hungary and also the most fascinating one in the city of Budapest. The museum was constructed during 1837 to 1847 and possesses a compilation of historical artifacts dating back to the Arpad dynasty to the days of communism. The museum building itself is a colossal neoclassical structure. The museum tympanum is embellished with sculptural works of Raffaelo Monti. In the present period, the museum retains over a million items that comprehensively depict the history of Hungary. The primary collections of the museum are showcased on the second level of the building, containing artifacts from the 10th century up to the commencement of the Arpad dynasty.
Location: Budapest, HungaryTimings: 10 am – 6 pmEntry Fee: Adults – 1700 HUF, Children and seniors – 800 HUF
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2. Museum of Hungarian Agriculture
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The Hungarian Museum of Agriculture is located inside the Vajdahunyad Castle and it’s the largest museum of its kind in the entirety of Europe. The museum was constructed toward the conclusion of the 19th century and hosts both temporary and permanent exhibitions. The permanent exhibition showcases agriculture, hunting practices, fishing, farming, and wine-making, etc. The museum also houses the remains of the renowned Hungarian racehorse, Kincsem, on display.
Place: Budapest, HungarySchedule: 10 am – 5 pmAdmission Fee: Adults – 1000 HUF, Children and seniors – 500 HUF
3. Koller Gallery
The Koller gallery was established in 1953 and the museum showcases contemporary as well as modern Hungarian art, Amerigo Tot memorial and a small sculpture garden. Artworks from different Hungarian artists are exhibited in the museum and over the years, numerous art exhibitions have been held in the museum. The present-day gallery used to be the residence of the renowned sculptor Amerigo Tot and there is a small commemorative room dedicated to the artist in the museum.
Place: Budapest, HungarySchedule: 10 am – 6 pm
4. Museum of Ethnography
The museum of ethnography was established in 1872 and since then it has been gathering, preserving and archiving artifacts belonging to Hungarian, European and other global societies. The museum collects all types of objects, images, scriptures and textual materials as well as audio recordings, everything that serves as a means to learn about the world. This museum is a place where cultures and generations come together.
Place: Budapest, HungarySchedule: 10 am – 6 pmAdmission Fee: 2220 HUF
5. Budapest History Museum
Budapest History Museum is situated inside the renowned Royal Castle and this museum is dedicated to acquainting people with the history of the current capital city. Budapest was formed by the merging of three cities, Buda, Obuda and Pest. The museums displays artifacts and relics unearthed from local excavations. The oldest relic exhibited in the museum dates back to approximately 40,000 years ago. Discoveries from new excavation trips continue to be added to the museum and it can be visited to witness the medieval ruins and Castle Hill.
Location: Budapest, HungaryOpening Hours: 10 am – 6 pmAdmission Fee: Adults – 2000 HUF, Students and seniors – 1000 HUF
6. Ludwig Museum
The Ludwig Museum of contemporary art possesses a collection of modern artworks, both from Hungarian artists as well as numerous other international artists. You can observe artworks exhibited from approximately 50 years ago. The goal of the founders of this museum was to bring the Orient and Occident closer to each other through art. The 70 artworks donated by founders Peter and Irene Ludwig, forms the foundation of the museum.
Location: Budapest, HungaryOpening Hours: 10 am to 8 pmAdmission Fee: Adults – 1600 HUF, children and seniors – 750 HUF
7. Holocaust Memorial Center
This is a Jewish cultural museum, this memorial center pays homage to all the victims of the Hungarian holocaust. The memorial center was inaugurated in 2004 and includes a museum, a synagogue and a glass memorial wall with the names of the 5000,000 victims engraved on the wall. The permanent exhibition of the museum showcases the history of the holocaust and many authentic personal belongings of the Jewish community in Hungary.
Location: Budapest, HungaryOpening Hours: 10 am – 6 pmAdmission Fee: Adults – 1400 HUF, children and seniors – 700 HUF
8. Hungarian National Gallery
The Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest, hosts many exhibitions that narrate the history and progress of Hungarian art throughout the centuries. There is also a permanent collection that represents the past 500 years of art in Hungary and you can also view numerous medieval as well as Renaissance stonework along with Gothic wood sculptures and altar pieces. The museum has been in existence since 1957 and it is an excellent place to gain insights into the realm of Hungarian art through the ages.
Location: Budapest, HungaryOperating Hours: 10 am to 6 pmAdmission Fee: Adult – 1000 HUF, Children and senior – 800 HUF
9. Gallery of Fine Arts
Established in 1896 and commenced in 1906, Gallery of Fine Arts in Hungary exhibits numerous visual artworks from across Europe. You can witness various paintings and sculptures of European origin, and the key attraction of the gallery is the permanent display of an equestrian sculpture, sculpted by Leonardo Da Vinci himself. Additionally, there is an abundance of artworks from the 19th and 20th centuries, and this gallery is the second largest collector of Spanish artworks. It also houses multiple sculptures of Italian origin dating back to the 4th century, as well as numerous others from 13th century France, Germany, England, and Denmark.
Location: Budapest, HungaryOperating Hours: 10 am to 6 pmAdmission Fee: Adults – 1600 HUF, Children and seniors – 800 HUF
10. Hungarian Natural History Museum
The Hungarian Natural History Museum houses various indigenous flora, fauna, and minerals from Hungary, including some from other regions of the world. The rocks displayed near the entrance belong to different parts of Hungary and are arranged according to their geological formation. The permanent exhibition features a portrayal of Man and Nature in Hungary throughout the ages, the skeleton of a fin whale, treasures from the Carpathian Basin, and plant and animal specimens from coral reefs. The museum is also family-friendly and has received several awards for its visitor-friendliness and family-oriented facilities.
Location: Budapest, HungaryOperating Hours: 10 am to 6 pmAdmission Fee: Adults – 1600 HUF, Children and seniors – 800 HUF
Here you have it, a list of the 10 finest museums in Hungary. Explore these museums during your Hungary trip and acquire significant knowledge about the life, art, culture, and history of Hungary in exquisite detail while journeying through Europe with Fred and Fuzzys.
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