Arany János Közérdekű Muzeális Gyűjtemény
The Nagykőrös museum, in the classicist building of a former hussar barracks, presents local history and also a collection on Arany János that is unique in the country.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Nagykőrös museum was founded in 1928 by former mayor Dezső Kázmér. Before that, only an Arany Room, opened in 1910 within the walls of the grammar school, awaited visitors; its material was assembled from donations of the Arany family, such as the poet’s famous pipe. The idea of an independent town museum arose in 1925 in connection with a town history exhibition, and the collection first found temporary homes in the mayor’s office and then in the town cultural house.
In 1951 the Arany János Múzeum (Arany János Museum) was established in the main building of the former hussar barracks, built in classicist style between 1836 and 1838. In 1957 the Arany János Emlékmúzeum (Arany János Memorial Museum) was created in the grammar school; the two museums were merged in 1974, and from 1978 to 2017 their material formed the permanent exhibition “Hej, Nagykőrös híres város” (Hey, Famous Town of Nagykőrös). The listed building was renovated several times; in 1993–1994 the western wing, demolished after the war, was rebuilt.
In 2018, on the 650th anniversary of the town, the museum underwent a complete transformation: with government support the building was renewed, and the interactive permanent exhibition “…ide vágynám vissza.” (“…I Would Like to Go Back There”) opened. Besides the local history, ethnographic and archaeological relics of Nagykőrös and its region, the collection preserves an Arany János collection that is unique in the country. Since 2013 Nagykőrös Town Council has been the maintaining body, and the institution operates as a branch of the Nagykőrösi Arany János Kulturális Központ (Arany János Cultural Centre of Nagykőrös).
Highlights
- Interactive permanent exhibition: “…ide vágynám vissza.”
- Arany János’s Nagykőrös years, his cherry-wood stick, pipe and library
- Sword of an Avar-period chieftain and finds from the Hungarian conquest period
- Pótharaszt coin find and the Ludas cross
- Escape room and the Hagyományőrző Játékbirodalom (Traditional Games Kingdom) for families
Permanent exhibition
- „…ide vágynám vissza.” – Interactive permanent exhibition on the local history of Nagykőrös, with a timeline, Avar-period and conquest-period finds, Arany János’s Nagykőrös years and personal objects.
- Founded
- 1928
- Operated by
- Nagykőrös Város Önkormányzata (Nagykőrösi Arany János Kulturális Központ tagintézménye)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | HUF 1,800 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | HUF 900Ages 6–26 (youth ticket); a 50% discount for EU citizens over 62 and for close relatives accompanying at least two children under 18 (up to two people) |
| Children & teens | HUF 900free up to age 5 · Youth ticket for ages 6–26. |
| Seniors | HUF 90050% discount over 62; admission is free over 70. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · People with disabilities and their companions (one person per entitled person) enter free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | HUF 900 |
| Groups (10+ people) | HUF 1,400 per personFull-price group ticket from 10 people; group student and pensioner ticket HUF 700. |
| Families | HUF 2,000Family ticket for one parent and one child (6–18) HUF 2,000; for two parents and one child HUF 3,600; each additional child HUF 500. |
| Guided tour for adult groups (10–30 people) | HUF 7,000Per group. |
| Guided tour for student or pensioner groups (10–30 people) | HUF 5,000Per group. |
| Guided tour for fewer than 10 people | HUF 2,000Per person. |
| Museum education session | HUF 5,000Per group, in addition to the group student admission price. |
| Audio guide | HUF 800Per device. |
Free admission: 15 March, 20 August, 23 October, and every second Saturday of the month for visitors under 26 and close relatives (up to two people) accompanying a child under 18.
Students presenting a Kajla passport may visit the exhibitions free of charge. Local school groups, organised and accompanied by a teacher, are free if booked in advance. Prices include 27% VAT.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- 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
The toilet designed for people with limited mobility also has a baby changing table.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | HUF 2,000 · Family ticket for one parent and one child (6–18) HUF 2,000; for two parents and one child HUF 3,600; each additional child HUF 500. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
In 2021 the museum received the Családbarát Múzeum (Family-Friendly Museum) recognition. It has a baby and mother room (for breastfeeding and warming baby food) and a play corner in the corridor; in the “…ide vágynám vissza.” exhibition there are interactive elements (a digital plough, a digital crop cultivator, a cube puzzle, poem completion); and from April to the end of August the Hagyományőrző Játékbirodalom (Traditional Games Kingdom) is in the museum courtyard.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Hotel Cifra · 3-min walk
By train from Budapest and Szeged, fast and intercity trains arrive every hour; the museum is a half-hour walk from the station. Buses between Kecskemét and Cegléd run every 20–30 minutes on weekdays and every one to one and a half hours at weekends; the nearest stop is ‘Hotel Cifra’, about three minutes from the museum.
By car
Free parking
Free parking for cars and one bus beside the main building, at the corner of the park, turning from Ceglédi út onto Abonyi út.
A local bus transfer from the station can be arranged by individual arrangement.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
A museum gift shop operates.
Events & venue rental
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The guide to the permanent exhibition includes a children’s quiz game (Lépten-nyomon Arany kincsek Nagykőrösön – Arany Treasures Everywhere in Nagykőrös), which families receive when they buy their admission ticket. The museum also offers an escape room inspired by Arany János’s study. |
