Budapesti Történeti Múzeum – Vármúzeum

About the museum

The Budapesti Történeti Múzeum (Budapest History Museum) was founded in 1907 to collect and present the history of the capital. Its main visitor site, known as the Vármúzeum (Castle Museum), is in the southernmost part of the Budavári Palota, in building E, with its entrance from the Oroszlános udvar (Lion Courtyard). The museum also maintains several further exhibition venues, including the Aquincumi Múzeum (Aquincum Museum), the Kiscelli Múzeum (Kiscell Museum) and the Fővárosi Képtár (Municipal Gallery); these can be visited with separate tickets.

After the destruction of the Second World War, archaeological excavation of the medieval royal palace, which had not been known in its earlier form, began in the 1950s. The rooms, castle walls and gardens that came to light, including the Gótikus terem (Gothic Hall), the Kápolna (Chapel) and the Tárnokház (Treasury House), are visible on the lower level of the museum after restoration. The modern history of the palace can be traced from 1686, when Buda was retaken from the Turks: from a building with a military purpose it became a Baroque palace in the time of Mária Terézia, and later, under I. Ferenc József, it was considerably extended according to plans by Ybl Miklós and Hauszmann Alajos.

The permanent exhibitions of the museum present the history of the city from prehistoric times to the change of regime, the life of the medieval royal palace and the modern history of the Budavári Palota. The exhibitions bring the past to life with archaeological finds, architectural plans, photographs, reconstructed room sections, three-dimensional animations and touchscreen games. The Szent István-terem (St Stephen’s Hall) is also located in the museum building and can be visited by booking a time slot.

Highlights

• Budapest’s thousand-year history in the “Fény és árnyék” (Light and Shadow) exhibition
• Restored rooms of the medieval royal palace and the Királypince (King’s Cellar)
• History of the Budavári Palota from 1686 to the present
• Gothic sculptures and the Hungarian–Angevin armorial silk tapestry
• Archaeological finds from the Stone Age to the era of the Hungarian conquest

Permanent exhibitions

• Budapest – fény és árnyék – The thousand-year history of the capital, from ancient antecedents to the change of regime, with the museum’s most important objects.
• Buda, „a királyi méltóság széke és trónusa” – The history of the medieval royal palace, its restored rooms and the objects found during excavations, on the lower level of the museum.
• A királyi palota – a kultúra vára – The history of the Budavári Palota from 1686 to the present, with plans, photographs and three-dimensional animations.

Founded

1907

Operated by

Budapesti Történeti Múzeum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Saturday of every month, admission is free for those entitled to the family discount.

The general admission ticket is valid for all permanent and temporary exhibitions of the Vármúzeum. Some programmes require a separate ticket. Tickets cannot be refunded after entry. Admission is free up to the age of six and from the age of 70, and for teachers working in public education (EEA citizens).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free entrance at the main entrance in the Oroszlános udvar (Lion Courtyard). The first- and second-floor exhibitions can be visited step-free by passenger lift; the lift also goes down to the medieval palace level in the basement, but wheelchair users cannot continue from there. A moving staircase and a lift lead from the Várkert Bazár side to the entrance of the Királypince (King’s Cellar), up to the 1st floor. Visitors with disabilities are advised to notify the museum in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children’s programmes, a family activity booklet, museum education sessions and children’s birthday parties at the museum.

Getting there & parking

The main entrance is in the Oroszlános udvar (on foot from Dísz tér; with the lifts from Palota út). The entrance to the Királypince (King’s Cellar) opens from the Gyilokjáró udvar, from the Várkert Bazár side.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with publications.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Chapel and venue rental are possible.

Plan your visit