Event calendar
2024. October
30
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2024.07.19. - 2024.10.06.
Budapest
2024.07.11. - 2024.08.31.
Budapest
2024.06.14. - 2024.08.25.
Budapest
2024.05.24. - 2024.09.15.
Budapest
2024.05.17. - 2024.09.22.
Budapest
2024.05.11. - 2024.09.15.
Budapest
2024.04.20. - 2024.11.24.
Budapest
2023.12.15. - 2024.02.18.
Budapest
2023.11.16. - 2024.01.21.
Budapest
2012.03.01. - 2012.03.31.
Vác
2012.02.01. - 2012.02.29.
Miskolc
2012.01.22. - 1970.01.01.
Budapest
2011.10.04. - 1970.01.01.
Nagykáta
2011.10.01. - 1970.01.01.
Nagykáta
2011.10.01. - 1970.01.01.
Nagykáta
2011.09.30. - 1970.01.01.
Nagykáta
2011.09.30. - 1970.01.01.
Nagykáta
2011.07.04. - 2011.07.08.
Budapest
Visitor Centre of the National Bank of Hungary - Budapest
Visitor Centre of the National Bank of Hungary
Address: 1054, Budapest Szabadság tér 8.
Phone number: (1) 428-2751
Opening hours: Closed!
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.

The history of Hungary's notes and coins from St. Stephen's denar to today's forint is demonstrated in a uniquely detailed manner. In addition to their numismatic value, the coins related to certain rulers, historic events and eras also provide interesting hindsight to Hungary's history.

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank (tire Central Bank of Hungary, MNB for short) is housed in a monumental building designed by Ignác Alpár and built in 1905, which in its every detail serves the Bank's activities as well as provides a decorative setting.

The Bank's inaugural meeting was held in 1924. Throughout its operations in the 20th century the institution faced a number of historical challenges, such as setting up an independent central bank and financial system and saving the country's gold reserves in World War II. These topics and many more are covered in the section on the bank history.

In the 21st century the Bank's most important task is to maintain price stability and to introduce the euro in Hungary. With the help of the interactive monitors, one can calculate the changes in the price of an egg over the years or piece together a euro from its security features. Is lead or gold heavier? How can you mint your 'own' coin? The answers to all these questions can be found ami many more by the end of the exhibition.

The Centre's Lecture Room is the venue for lectures on the Bank's most important activities and core financial concepts. The short films of Video Room introduce the visitors to the world of the Bank and of finance.

The specialist library with its nearly 80 000 volumes is a unique collection of Hungarian and foreign language books, mainly in the fields of macroeconomics, banking and finance. Its reading hall offers specialized periodicals, publications of foreign central banks and international organizations and is equipped with online catalogues, a reference library and internet facilities.

By opening the Visitor Centre, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank wishes to contribute to the development of Hungarian financial culture by reaching a wider public.
Permanent exhibitions
A taste of the exhibition
This section on the history of currencies displays the most important and interesting pieces of the MNB's Banknote and Coin Collection comprising nearly 50 000 pieces. The history of Hungarian currency dates back to St. Stephen's first denar with the circular inscription LANCEA REGIS/REGIA CIVITAS. continue
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.). continue
Interactive games
One of the Center's goals is to allow you to learn more about a number of interesting topics related to the Bank's activities at your own pace. In addition to 'serious' financial themes, we would like to offer you a chance to check in a playful way what you have learned at the exhibition or try our games connected to money. continue
Stairway to the first floor
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. continue