Museum - Visitor Centre of the National Bank of Hungary

The Visitor Centre is an exhibition focusing on the areas, concepts and deices closely related to the Bank's activities. The Centre covers a wide range of apparently very different topics whose central unifying theme is (what else could it be?) money. The exhibition begins by describing how money developed over the ages, what notes and coins are in circulation and how they are protected against counterfeit. It also includes a display of exotic banknotes, commemorative coins and other special money from all over the world.

Programmes

Guide

Lectures on the history of money

Lectures on Economy

further programmes

Permanent exhibitions

Price Stability

In order to maintain price stability, the MNB's most important aim is to reduce inflation. This part of the exhibition sheds light on the financial background of inflation and its effects on everyday life. You can calculate how the price of a given product has changed over the years and see how the price skyrocketed in the Nears of hyperinflation.

Bank History

This sectioín is divided into two parts. The first deals with the history of the monumental main building designed by Ignác Alpár, which dates hack to the period before the establishment of the independent bank itself. The second focuses on the main periods of the Banks history from its formation in 1924 to the present.

Euro

On 1 January 2002, the euro became the official currency in twelve European countries. In addition to the overall economic and commercial advantages of its use (e.g. the elimination of exchange costs, easier comparison of prices and a boost in trade), the euro has made the finances of everyday life much easier in many ways (during travel, when transferring money to another country, etc.).

The History of Money

This section of the exhibition deals With the reasons behind the evolution of money, the factors determining cash mol ement and 110\1 money is being replaced in the 21st century by modern devices. Next to kaori shells, salt and teabricks. precious metals emerges as a suitable tool for barter Metal and coins satisfy lie seven main requirements for flexible and smooth trading. The most important aim is to will and maintain users' (that is to say everybody's) confidence in a given currency.

further exhibitions