Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
MUSEUM OF APPLIED ARTS
The Museum of Applied Arts has two fascinating permanent collections. One features
Hungarian furniture dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, Art Nouveau and Seces-
sionist artefacts, and objects related to the history of trades and crafts (glassmaking,
bookbinding, goldsmithing, leatherwork etc). The other displays Islamic textiles,
weaponry and ceramics covering a broad geographical sweep from North Africa to
Asia, and dating from the 9th to the 19th centuries. On the ground and 1st floors, you'll
also find a number of ever-changing temporary exhibitions. Most recent additions to
the collection include ceramic pieces donated by collector Magda Bácsi, a Hungarian
violinist whose treasures date across five millennia. The beautiful museum building,
designed by Ödön Lechner and decorated with Zsolnay ceramic tiles, was completed
for the Millenary Exhibition in 1896 but was badly damaged during WWII and again in
1956. It was said to have been inspired by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
The white-on-white main hall was modelled on the Alhambra in Spain; check out the
stunning stained-glass skylight.
