1
In pursuit of lost times
From hunter-gatherers to Hungarian conquerors in the land of Budapest
The exhibition displays the finest prehistoric and Migration-Period artifacts found in archaeological excavations within today’s Budapest. The exhibition is organized thematically, offering insight into the eras and the everyday lives of the people who once lived here. In the exhibition space, digital-technology–based interactive tools and games help visitors experience the past in an engaging way.
2
The Hauszmann Story Continues
The Rebirth of the Buda Castle District
This exhibition, located above the newly restored St. Stephen’s Hall in the southern connecting wing of Buda Castle, honours Hauszmann Alajos and the masterpiece of his life. Here you can learn how he transformed Buda Castle and its surroundings around the turn of the century — and get insight into how the Castle District is being reborn today.
3
St. Stephen’s Hall
The richly decorated ceremonial hall of Buda Castle, built in a historicizing style by the excellent architect Alajos Hauszmann , opened in 1902. Its lavish wall coverings, furniture and furnishings were designed by the most significant applied-artists of the era. Around the turn of the century, the hall was used for royal receptions and celebrations. The exhibition associated with St. Stephen’s Hall requires a separate ticket.
4
The Royal Palace – The Castle of Culture
The history of the Buda Castle Palace from 1686 to present (1st Floor)
On this floor, as a continuation of the ground-floor exhibition, we trace the history of Buda Castle from 1900 to the 1960s. Through architectural plans, photographs, surviving fragments of former decorations and furnishings, and reconstructed room details, the exhibition presents the modern history of the Palace.
5
Budapest – Light and Shadow
1000 Years of History of the Capital
This exhibition on the history of Budapest from the time of the Conquest until the political transformations of the 20th century. The corridor exhibition is chronological, while the display rooms present the city’s unique past in thematic segments.
6
The Royal Palace – The Castle of Culture
The history of the Buda Castle Palace from 1686 to present (Ground Floor)
The exhibition tells the story of the royal palace rebuilt on the site of the destroyed medieval royal residence, following the recapture of Buda from the Turks in 1686 up until 1900. Through architectural plans, photographs, and surviving fragments of its original decorative elements and furnishings — as well as reconstructed room segments — it presents the history of the modern Palace.
8
Baroque Hall
The covered inner courtyard of Buda Castle, which hosts various concerts, performances, and children’s programs.
9
Museum Education
10
Gothic Sculptures
In 1974, a Gothic sculpture find was discovered in a filled-in cellar under a medieval bourgeois house located in front of the royal palace. The sculptures probably once decorated the medieval palace, the royal chapel and the St. Zsigmond Church. They are outstanding works by European masters, which — after the destruction of their workshops — ended up underground.
11
Silk Hanging with the Hungarian-Angevin Armorials
At the site of the former Teleki Palace on St. George Square within the castle district, a well carved into rock was uncovered — inside it a Hungarian-Anjou coat-of-arms silk tapestry was found, which likely decorated the wall of the court of King Charles I (I. Károly) or King Louis I (I. Lajos). The exhibition also displays leather shoes and various textile fragments and garments retrieved from the well.
12
The Medieval Royal Palace
This exhibition presents the cellar-level remains of the southern wing of the medieval royal palace — parts that survived the sieges and reconstructions of the Castle. In the original rooms (chapel, Gothic hall, cellars) you can see the finest court-use artifacts uncovered during archaeological excavations.
13
Albrecht Cellar
The large cellar was constructed under an inner courtyard by King Matthias I. It was used to store goods necessary for the royal court; above it probably lay a formal garden. The space remained in use even in the modern palace.
14
Renaissance Room
In the hall formed from two smaller cellars, Renaissance stone carvings uncovered during the archaeological excavations of the medieval royal palace are on display.
15
Gothic Hall
A grand ceremonial hall from the time of King Sigismund (Luxembourg), part of the medieval royal palace. Beneath it lay a cellar of similar size; above it was a reception room with very high ceilings. The Gothic Hall likely served the queen’s court.
16
Chapel
The chapel dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was founded by King Louis I (Anjou). In the 15th century, the relic of Saint John the Almsgiver was placed here. The impressive ground-floor royal chapel was destroyed, but a simple crypt below survives and is open to visitors.
17
1 Month – 1 Object
Temporary exhibition
The purpose of this series is to introduce the beauty and significance of archaeology to the public through individually selected finds — each chosen by an archaeologist. Every featured object is accompanied by an engaging story that not only tells its history, but also reveals the personal connection of the archaeologist to the object.
18
Ten Years, a Thousand Stories
Temporary exhibition
On the occasion of the tenth-anniversary “Mainly Medieval” exhibition series we present not only the most beautiful and interesting medieval finds and excavations from the Budapest area, but also revisit objects from the previous nine exhibitions.
