Magyar Mezőgazdasági Múzeum és Könyvtár

About the museum

Agriculture minister Darányi Ignác signed the founding charter of the museum on 20 June 1896, in the year of the millennium celebrations. The aim was to create an institution that would present the development and history of agriculture, and at the same time provide a forum for modern agricultural achievements. The Magyar Királyi Mezőgazdasági Múzeum (Royal Hungarian Museum of Agriculture) moved into Vajdahunyadvár (Vajdahunyad Castle), in the heart of Városliget, on 9 June 1907.

The castle was designed by Alpár Ignác. For the millennium exhibition it had been built from non-durable materials, so it had to be demolished a few years later; between 1901 and 1906 it was rebuilt, this time specifically tailored to the museum’s needs. The monument complex of national importance combines Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque parts of buildings, and is one of Budapest’s symbols.

Today the museum presents the history of agriculture in a way unique in Europe: its nine permanent exhibitions and forty collections explore the development of agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing, the vine and wine, domestic animals and horse keeping. The collection contains one of Europe’s most valuable trophy collections, as well as the skeleton of the miracle mare Kincsem. Through tower tours and historical walks around the castle, visitors can also learn about the history of the building complex.

Highlights

• Vajdahunyadvár, an architectural monument complex by Alpár Ignác in Városliget
• The Apostolok tornya (Tower of the Apostles) with a panorama over Budapest
• National horse exhibition with the skeleton of Kincsem
• One of Europe’s most valuable hunting trophy collections
• The history of Hungarian grapes and wine in the basement exhibition
• Kaputorony (Gate Tower) and Ostromfolyosó (Siege Corridor) with a photo exhibition on the castle’s history

Permanent exhibitions

• A magyar mezőgazdaság története a kezdetektől 1945-ig – The exhibition on the ground floor of the baroque wing presents the development of Hungarian agriculture from its beginnings to 1945.
• A ló – Nemzeti lókiállítás – The upper-floor exhibition presents the history of horse keeping and horse breeding; here the skeleton of the invincible Kincsem can be seen.
• A magyar szőlő és bor Európában – The exhibition set up in the basement of the Gothic wing traces the history of viticulture and wine-making.

Founded

1896

Operated by

Agrárminisztérium

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Once a month, on a weekend day, there is a family day: admission is free for EEA citizens under 26 and for up to two relatives accompanying a child under 18 (the date is set by the museum).

The ticket covers the museum’s own permanent and temporary exhibitions; special temporary exhibitions and events may have different ticket prices. Teachers in public education with a valid card, holders of a professional admission card (for example an ICOM card) and journalists may visit the exhibitions free of charge. SZÉP card payment is accepted at the cash desks. Guided tour in Hungarian HUF 8,000 per group (HUF 400 per person above 25 people), for students and pensioners HUF 5,000 per group; in English HUF 8,000 per group (HUF 300 per person above 25 people); duration 1 hour; must be requested at least one week in advance.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The museum is family-friendly: family tickets, museum education sessions, games and explorer cards, and a backpack explorer tour (“Az idők változnak” (Times Are Changing), about one hour) that can be downloaded from the website; summer camps and family days.

Getting there & parking

Vehicles may enter the Vajdahunyadvár area only with a permit issued by the Budapesti Közlekedési Központ.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check

The main cash desk and the cloakroom are on the ground floor of the baroque wing; a café and toilets are in the passage between the two parts of the building.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 300 guests.

Alpár Terem (Alpár Hall, 450 m², up to 300 people for a standing reception), the upper-floor hall (295 m², 250 people), the conference hall (220 people), the cloister (April to September) and the Vadászterem (Hunting Hall) can be rented; the courtyard is also suitable for festivals. Enquiries: rendezveny@mmgm.hu.

Plan your visit