Through Four Seasons' Eyes Budapest - IMEX America

Museums
From art to artifacts
114
Aquincum Museum
(III. Szentendrei út 139;
www.aquincum.hu)
Set near the banks of the Danube
in Óbuda, the Aquincum
Museum comprises a large grassy
field filled with low walls and
the unearthed foundations of a
once thriving Roman settlement.
The refurbished museum
holds intricately restored
mosaics, statues, silver and gold
jewelry and one of the largest
archaeological collections in
the country. Its most impressive
display is of a functioning waterpowered
organ, a replica of which
can be played by visitors.
Béla Bartók
Memorial House
Bartók Béla Emlékház
(II. Csalán utca 29;
www.bartokmuseum.hu)
Originally built in 1924, this was
the last Hungarian residence
of Béla Bartók, one of the
country’s greatest composers and
ethnomusicologist, prior to his
immigration to the US in 1940.
It became a museum in 1981 on
the centenary of his birth but still
reflects the idyllic surroundings
Bartók enjoyed and which
inspired many of his greatest
works. The exhibits features the
composer’s personal belongings
including his Bösendorfer piano
and folksy artifacts acquired
during his research trips to
Transylvania. Classical concerts
are held in the intimate concert
hall and in the garden.
Budapest
History Museum
Budapesti
Történeti Múzeum
(I. Szent György tér 2; www.btm.hu)
Six exhibitions are on permanent
display at the Budapest History
Museum: 1000 years of Budapest
history, ancient peoples and
ancient cultures, silk tapestries
of the Hungarian-Anjou coat of
arms, the medieval Royal Palace,
Budapest in the Middle Ages and
Gothic sculptures from the Royal
Palace. A well-rounded exhibit,
which covers the history of the
capital in the most minute detail
from Roman times onward.
Ernst Museum
(VI. Nagymező utca 8;
www.ernstmuzeum.hu)
Operating under the umbrella of
the Kunsthalle public museum
at Heroes’ Square, Ernst feels
more like a private gallery
than a state-run operation. It
was commissioned in 1912 by
art collector Lajos Ernst in a
space, which previously served
as artists’ studios. Despite a
financially troubled history, it
remains an important venue for
the exhibition of contemporary
and modern art with a special
emphasis on the oeuvre of
Hungarian artists as well as
compelling thematic exhibits
from a selection of international
guests.
Holocaust
Memorial Center
Holokauszt
Emlékközpont
(IX. Páva utca 39; www.hdke.hu)
Venture out to south Pest
to witness one of the city’s
most compelling interactive
exhibits. Not as high profile as