Zsolnay Múzeum

About the museum

The Zsolnay Múzeum is the permanent exhibition of the Janus Pannonius Museum, housed in the oldest surviving residential house in Pécs, at Káptalan utca 2. The first written mention of the building dates from 1324, and remnants of Renaissance frescoes can be seen on its façade. In 1477, Provost Handó György founded Hungary’s first public library here. The building took its present form in 1844, after the rebuilding by Piatsek Antal, and it was fully restored between 2005 and 2007.

The core of the collection is the Zsolnay collection of the Pécsi Városi Múzeum (Pécs Town Museum), which Zsolnay Miklós donated to the town in 1907. The Zsolnay family founded its own museum in 1928; this factory collection was nationalised in 1948, and from 1951 it was entered into the inventory of the Janus Pannonius Museum. The Zsolnay-emlékszoba (Zsolnay Memorial Room), opened in 1990, presents the family’s furniture and decorative objects, as well as paintings, drawings and photographs of family members.

The permanent exhibition presents the development of architectural ceramics and the factory’s participation in the world exhibitions at the turn of the century. On the upper floor, the finest pieces of the decorative ceramics collection can be seen; visitors can learn about the inventions of Zsolnay Vilmos, porcelain faience and the eosin technique, as well as the work of the designers.

Highlights

• Architectural ceramics and objects from the world exhibitions, including the Kacsás kút (Duck Fountain) and the Gránátalmafa (Pomegranate Tree) with dancing female figures
• Collection of decorative ceramics in chronological order
• Inventions of Zsolnay Vilmos: porcelain faience and eosin
• Zsolnay Memorial Room with the family’s furniture
• Remains of Renaissance frescoes on the building’s façade

Permanent exhibition

• Zsolnay Múzeum állandó kiállítása – The development of architectural ceramics, the factory’s appearances at world exhibitions and a chronological presentation of the decorative ceramics collection, including the Zsolnay Memorial Room.

Operated by

Janus Pannonius Múzeum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the first Sunday of every month, under-26s and up to two close relatives accompanying a child under 18 may visit the permanent exhibition free of charge. On national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October), the open permanent exhibitions are free of charge.

OTP SZÉP card (culture) accepted. Discounts cannot be combined, and purchased tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged. Tickets are also available online.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Janus Pannonius Museum offers museum education programmes for kindergarten groups, lower and upper primary school groups, and secondary school groups.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Cloakroom and lockers are available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit