Herman Ottó Múzeum

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1899 under the name Borsod-Miskolczi Múzeum (Borsod-Miskolc Museum). Until 1914 it was run by the Borsod-Miskolczi Múzeum és Közművelődési Egyesület (Borsod-Miskolc Museum and Cultural Association), and until its nationalisation in 1949 it was financed by Borsod County and the city of Miskolc. In 1953 it took the name of the versatile scholar Herman Ottó; from 1963 it became the centre of the county museum organisation, and its collecting area extended to Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County.

Close to half a million individually registered objects are held in the storerooms. The largest is the archaeological collection, whose outstanding units are the Palaeolithic, the Bükk and Bodrogkeresztúr cultures, the Migration Period and the early Hungarian Conquest period. The mineral collection holds one of the most complete rock and mineral collections in the Carpathian Basin. The fine-art collection presents many significant painters of Hungarian art, and the ethnographic collection is known for material of Matyó and Palóc folk art. The numismatic collection is also large, and a specialist library of close to 200,000 volumes belongs to the museum.

The central building on Görgey Artúr utca is the main visitor site of the institution. Here are the Pannon-tenger Múzeum (Pannonian Sea Museum) with its natural-science exhibitions, and the Gallery (Képtár), created by extending the building. The Gallery’s two permanent exhibitions, “A titkos és a publikus” (The Secret and the Public) and “Miskolc anno” (Miskolc Anno), opened at the end of 2023. The museum received the Museum of the Year award in 1999 and again in 2024.

Highlights

• “A titkos és a publikus” (The Secret and the Public): art collection of Kövesi István and Dr. Petró Sándor
• “Miskolc anno”: old Miskolc in fine art
• The Pannonian Sea Museum is also in the central building, with a separate ticket
• Regional collection with close to half a million objects
• Museum education sessions and equal-opportunity programmes

Permanent exhibitions

• A titkos és a publikus – The exhibition presents the art collections of two collectors, Kövesi István and Dr. Petró Sándor, along the course of their lives and the history of their collecting.
• Miskolc anno – The exhibition presents old Miskolc and local fine art.

Founded

1899

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October) admission is free for everyone; on the first Sunday of every month the permanent exhibitions are free for those under 26 and for up to two close relatives accompanying a child under 18 (EEA citizens).

Eligibility for reduced prices must be proven. The wristband and the cash-desk receipt must be kept until the end of the visit. A separate ticket is required for the Pannonian Sea Museum. The admission fee for the temporary exhibition space on the first floor varies by exhibition. Miskolc Pass and HungaryCard discounts can be used.

Accessibility

• 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

All exhibitions of the central building can be visited, and there is a lift. A personal companion is recommended for visitors with reduced mobility. The museum also offers sessions for people with intellectual disabilities.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family tickets are available, and museum education sessions can be requested.

Getting there & parking

About 15 minutes on foot from the city centre.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Cloakroom and lockers; bags may not be taken into the Gallery rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The education room of the central building, suitable for 20 people, can be rented; the larger halls of the Miskolci Galéria are also available.

Plan your visit