Museum - Mihály Munkácsy Museum

The Museum Association of Békéscsaba founded in 1899 established the institution. The museum collected archeological, ethnographic, fine art, historic, numismatics, applied art, natural sciences and paleonthological relics.

In 1910, the patrons of the museum commissioned the architect Wágner József to build a new home for the large collection. The Neoclassicist building still the home of the collection was opened in 1914. The museum was named after Munkácsy Mihály (Munkács 1844-Endenich 1900) who spent his childhood in Békéscsaba.

The institution now holds over 170 000 archeological, 10 000 ethnographic, 5500 fine art, 4500 historic objects and thousands of relics of natural sciences. The historic archives made up of 37 000 pieces and 50 000 photos is also significant.

The relics collection of Munkácsy Mihály is among the most important acquisitions. It includes his personal belongings, photos of his life, works, models, writings and his ornithological collection.

Programmes

Family Weekend

further programmes

Permanent exhibitions

Munkácsy memorial room

Munkácsy Mihály was born on 20, February 1844 in Munkács. His parents died when he was 8 and he was taken in by his uncle Reök István who lived in Békéscsaba. He spent his childhood there. After he became a famous painter, he returned to the town several times. His relationship with it broke after the death of his uncle.

Archeological Exhibition

The archaeological showing is a collection of the most important archaeological heritage from Békés County. It is divided into three units: Prehistoric times, migration period, as well as the original settlement and Árpád period. These units are to be found in separate rooms.

The History of Békés County from the Late Middle Ages

The items shown at two rooms at the local history exhibition review over four centuries of the history of Békés County, from the Ottoman invasion of Gyula to the change of social system. The glass floor motif on which a magnified military map of Békés County from the 19th century repeats itself. The Körös River is shown on a 1m x 2m layout.

Natural Sciences Exhibition

The Pro-Natura permanent exhibition upstairs deals with the flora and fauna in Békés County, mostly by slides. Fossils represent geological past. The visitors can also read interesting writings about Hungarian naturalists.

further exhibitions