Bélyegmúzeum

About the museum

The idea of founding a Bélyegmúzeum (Stamp Museum) arose in the 1910s among the leaders of the Hungarian Royal Post, and the museum opened to the public in 1930. Its first home was on the upper floor of the Postapalota in Buda, on Krisztina körút, where the Pénzmúzeum (Money Museum) operates today.

Because the collection and the number of stamp issues kept growing, the museum was already taken into account in the plans for the new central post office building on the Pest side. Construction began in December 1937 to designs by Rimanóczy Gyula, and in 1940 the museum moved to its present site, the block bounded by Csengery, Dob and Hársfa streets. This building is one of Hungary’s early modernist public buildings and is now under monument protection.

The collection holds more than 14 million items, making it one of the largest philatelic collections in the world. Alongside Hungarian and foreign stamps, the museum also holds a graphic collection, date stamps, printing equipment, documents and a specialist library.

Highlights

• “Világegyetem – Bélyegtörténelem” (Universe – Stamp History) permanent exhibition
• Philatelic collection of more than 14 million items
• Hungarian and foreign stamps displayed in pull-out frames
• Collection of printing equipment and date stamps
• Modernist Postapalota under monument protection

Permanent exhibition

• Világegyetem – Bélyegtörténelem – The permanent exhibition guides visitors through space and time, from Earth to outer space; it presents the history of stamps from watermarking rollers to the commemorative sheets of the Universal Postal Union.

Founded

1930

Operated by

Nemzeti Bélyegmúzeum Nonprofit Kft.

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Sunday of every month all visitors from EEA countries enter free of charge, and on national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October) everyone enters free of charge.

Admission is free for persons who have reached the age of 70, teachers in public education and instructors in vocational training, and holders of an ICOM or IATM card, a valid press photographer’s card or a ministerial professional pass. Eligibility must be proven on request.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum building is not step-free. Guide dogs may be brought in.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Museum education sessions for kindergarten children and for primary and secondary school pupils; youth stamp club.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is at the corner of Hársfa and Dob utca, next to the entrance of the Budapest 7 post office.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

The museum shop at the reception sells new stamps, first-day covers, philatelic books and accessories. Use of the cloakroom is free; larger bags may not be taken into the exhibition area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit