Leskowsky Hangszergyűjtemény

About the museum

The collection was founded in 1979 by Leskowsky Albert, who returned from his studies in Germany with instrument literature and unusual instruments. In the farm world of the southern Great Plain he met elderly zither players (citerás) and instrument makers, who often gave him their instruments. Leskowsky himself also invented experimental instruments, which are at the same time sounding sculptures and pictures.

The collection later expanded with historical instruments, pianos, trumpets, cimbaloms and violins. In the second half of the 1980s it moved into the cellar of the Piarista Gimnázium (Piarist Grammar School), and then into the building on Zimay utca. In 2010 Leskowsky Albert retired from management, and Szilágyi Áron took over the direction of the collection.

The city of Kecskemét renovated the former Városi Mozi (Town Cinema) building on Rákóczi út, which houses the Hangszergyűjtemény (Instrument Collection) and the Kelemen László Kamaraszínház (Kelemen László Chamber Theatre). The renovation was completed in August 2015, and the renewed collection opened in November. Visitors can get to know folk, classical, experimental and unique instruments, and a large part of the exhibited pieces can be played.

Highlights

• The largest visitable instrument collection in Hungary
• Folk and international instruments that can be tried out and played
• Experimental instruments and sounding sculptures of Leskowsky Albert
• Bán Mariann’s collection of 216 ceramic whistles
• Péter Vladimir’s collection of peasant fiddles

Permanent exhibitions

• Népi hangszerek – The exhibition presents Hungarian folk flutes, tárogatós, tekerős (hurdy-gurdies), cimbaloms, fiddles and citeras from the early 1800s to the present day.
• Nemzetközi hangszerek – Wind, percussion and string instruments from Europe, Asia and Africa, such as the tapsur, the sarangi and the nyckelharpa.
• Kísérleti hangszerek – Experimental instruments, sounding sculptures and pictures developed by Leskowsky Albert.

Founded

1979

Admission & discounts

The ticket price includes the guided tour. Payment is possible in cash, by bank card or with SZÉP card; tickets can also be bought online on Tixa.

Accessibility

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

The collection is barrier-free: people with limited mobility reach the first-floor exhibition from the entrance on the side of the Hírös Város Turisztikai Központ (Hírös Város Tourism Centre) by the lift in the basement; arrival must be announced in advance. With the help of staff, blind and partially sighted visitors can handle almost all instruments, and deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can feel the vibrations of the instruments through their bodies.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum can be visited with small children; the youngest can touch and try out the instruments on soft carpets. There are family programmes for young children, camps and instrument-cuddling sessions (hangszerbabusgató foglalkozások).

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells instrument books, postcards, music CDs and folk instruments.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit