Kiscelli Múzeum

About the museum

The present building grew out of the Kiscelli pilgrimage site founded by the Zichy family. The shrine was based on a chapel built in 1724 to venerate a copy of the Mariazell Madonna statue; the Trinitarian order had a monastery and church built beside it from 1745, to designs by the Viennese architect Johann Entzenhoffer. The church was consecrated in 1760. II. József dissolved the order in 1783; its furnishings were distributed or auctioned, and the building was used for military purposes for a long time: it housed a barracks and a military hospital, whose hospital function ended in the 1890s.

In 1910 the building was bought by the furniture manufacturer Schmidt Miksa, who had it converted into a mansion, hence the name Schmidt-kastély (Schmidt Mansion). Today the building houses the Budapest History Museum’s collection of the modern history of the city and the fine art collection of the Fővárosi Képtár. The 15-hectare park forest stretches between the districts of Óbuda and Remetehegy.

The building underwent a major renovation in 2018: the reception area was renewed, a new exhibition space was built in the rock cellar, and the building services were modernised. Visitors to the monastery can explore the collection in exhibitions in the Baroque sculpture hall, among the old Pest signboards and in the church space; in the museum’s courtyards, objects that cannot be placed inside the walls because of their size are on display.

Highlights

• Baroque Trinitarian monastery and church in Óbuda
• Baroque sculpture hall
• Old Pest signboards
• Objects in the open air in the museum’s courtyards
• Exhibitions in the church space
• 15-hectare park forest

Permanent exhibition

• Műtárgyak a szabadban – The courtyards show pieces of the collection that could not be fitted within the building’s walls because of their size, but which are significant from the point of view of art and urban history.

Founded

1935

Operated by

Budapesti Történeti Múzeum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October) free for all visitors; on the last Saturday of every month for under-26s and up to two close relatives accompanying a visitor under 18.

Tickets can be paid in cash, by bank card, or charged to the MBH and OTP SZÉP card balance. Admission is free for permanent residents of Óbuda, teachers working in public education, and members of certain public collection organisations. With a programme ticket, the permanent and temporary exhibitions can be visited on that day.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• 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

There is currently no lift in the building. Wheelchair users can reach the exhibitions on the ground floor: the Baroque sculpture hall, the old Pest signboards and the temporary exhibitions in the church space. An accessible toilet operates on the ground floor.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Museum education sessions for school groups; families are admitted at a reduced price.

Getting there & parking

Buses 160, 260 and 260A no longer serve the Szent Margit Kórház stop.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Backpacks can be placed in lockable lockers in the cloakroom (opened with a HUF 100 coin, returned on departure). Food and drink can be consumed in the ground-floor reception area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 270 guests.

The church space (600 m², up to 270 people for a standing reception), the sculpture hall (110 + 80 m², 100 people) and the inner courtyard (600 m², 200 people) can be rented. Wedding photography in the inner garden or in the building is possible for HUF 50,000.

Plan your visit