A Magyar Nyelv Múzeuma
The Magyar Nyelv Múzeuma in Széphalom presents mother-tongue culture, the world of writing and the memory of Kazinczy Ferenc, beside the Kazinczy cemetery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Magyar Nyelv Múzeuma (Hungarian Language Museum) is the only mother-tongue museum in Hungary. The idea was raised by Pásztor Emil, a linguist from Eger; the building was designed by Radványi György, an architect awarded the Ybl Prize. The museum opened on 23 April 2008 at Széphalom, in the Sátoraljaújhely district, beside the mausoleum of Kazinczy Ferenc, on the site of the former orchard of the language reformer.
The building houses three exhibition spaces, a book house, a seminar room and a hundred-seat lecture hall. The museum conveys the historical path of the Hungarian language, the results of linguistics and mother-tongue culture; besides its permanent exhibitions, it also houses a research centre, a specialist linguistics library and a café.
Nearby is the Kazinczy-sírkert (Kazinczy Cemetery), where the first grave was dug in August 1806, and the renewed Kazinczy Ferenc Emlékcsarnok (Kazinczy Ferenc Memorial Hall), which presents the life and work of the language reformer.
Highlights
- Hungary’s only mother-tongue museum
- Nyelvlesen – interactive exhibition built on role-play
- Íráspont (“Writing Point”) – the world of handwriting
- Kazinczy Ferenc Emlékcsarnok and the Kazinczy cemetery
- Building designed by Radványi György
Permanent exhibitions
- Nyelvlesen – Kalandozások a nyelv körül – A role-play-based adventure game in the ground-floor exhibition room, in which visitors step into one of three different roles to explore the language and their own use of it.
- Íráspont – The exhibition presents the world of writing and handwriting, and draws attention to the value of traditional linguistic forms.
- Kazinczy Ferenc Emlékcsarnok – The renewed classicist memorial hall focuses on the life and work of Kazinczy Ferenc.
- Founded
- 2008
Admission & discounts
| Adults | HUF 1,200 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | HUF 600youth ticket for ages 6–26, pensioner ticket for ages 62–70 |
| Children & teens | HUF 600free up to age 5 · Children under 6 are admitted free of charge. |
| Seniors | HUF 600Discounted for ages 62–70; those over 70 are admitted free of charge. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · People with disabilities and one companion are admitted free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | HUF 600Ages 6–26. |
| Groups | –Guided tour (60 minutes, up to 15 people): HUF 5,000, in addition to the admission tickets. |
| Families | HUF 2,500One adult and two children: HUF 1,700; two adults and two children: HUF 2,500; each additional child HUF 500. |
| Memorial hall (full price) | HUF 800Youth and pensioner ticket HUF 400. |
| Combined ticket – museum and memorial hall (full price) | HUF 1,400Youth and pensioner ticket HUF 700; family tickets HUF 2,000 (1+2) and HUF 3,000 (2+2); each additional child +HUF 500. |
| Guided tour (60 minutes, up to 15 people) | HUF 5,000Per group, in addition to the admission ticket. |
| Museum education admission | HUF 600Basic programme fee HUF 5,000. |
| Photo permit | HUF 600 |
Free admission: 15 March, 20 August and 23 October; on the last Saturday of every month, visitors under 26 and up to two close relatives accompanying a child under 18 are admitted free of charge.
Free admission is granted to teachers, ICOM card holders and holders of a ministerial professional pass.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | HUF 2,500 · One adult and two children: HUF 1,700; two adults and two children: HUF 2,500; each additional child HUF 500. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The Nyelvlesen exhibition is a role-play-based adventure game, and there are museum education sessions; the Széphalmi Meseút (Széphalom Fairy-Tale Trail) is also for families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By train from Budapest via Miskolc and Szerencs to Sátoraljaújhely, then by timetabled bus.
By car from Budapest on the M3 motorway and the M30 expressway, about 257 km.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
There is a café in the building; publications and books can be bought.
Events & venue rental
Up to 100 guests.
The hundred-seat lecture hall is suitable for concerts, cultural meetings and literary evenings.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photo permit HUF 600. |
| Good to know | Museum visits and guided tours can be requested with a registration form at info@nyelvmuzeum.hu, at least two weeks before the planned date. |
