Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
HUNGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Hungarian National Museum houses the nation's most important collec-
tion of historical relics. Founded in 1802, when Count Ferenc Széchényi
donated his personal collection of more than 20,000 prints, maps,
manuscripts, coins and archaeological finds to the state, it is now housed in
an impressive neoclassical edifice, purpose built by Mihály Pollack in 1847.
A year after its move, the museum was the scene of a momentous event (though, as is of-
ten the case, not recognised as such at the time). On 15 March a crowd gathered to hear the
poet Sándor Petőfi recite 'Nemzeti Dal' (National Song), a prelude to the 1848-49 revolu-
tion.
Exhibits on the 1st floor trace the history of the Carpathian Basin and its peoples from
earliest times to the end of the Avar period in the early 9th century; move upstairs for the
ongoing story of the Magyar people and their nation from the conquest of the basin to the
end of communism.
In its own room on the 1st floor, you'll find King Stephen's beautiful crimson silk coron-
ation mantle , stitched by nuns in 1031. Also on this level, in the Between East and West
gallery, keep an eye out for the Celtic gold and silver jewellery . On the 2nd floor, don't
miss the Broadwood piano used by both Beethoven and Liszt, and memorabilia from so-
cialist times .
On the ground floor, amongst finds from Roman, medieval and early modern times,
there's a stunning 2nd-century Roman mosaic from Balácapuszta, near Veszprém.
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