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Erkel Ferenc Memorial House
The School of Németgyula and the teacher’s house were built in 1795. In 1821 the house that served as a
school and also a home for the teachers’ family, received an additional classroom to the old one. The house
had a wing overlooking the schoolyard, while the opening on Ajtósi Street served as a house. The designated
school deteriorated considerably in the winter of 1829-1830 and partially collapsed. The house in its
current form was built by Mihai Nuszbek at the end of 1830. The teacher’s house ,which was at the same
time cantor of the town, has got its final form after a renovation that took place in the 1830.
A teacher named Joseph Erkel arrived in 1806 from Bratislava lived and taught in this school until 1841.
Here was born in 1810 on November 7, and had a son named Ferenc Erkel, who later became well known
as the composer of the National Anthem of Hungary and founder of the National Opera. In the exhibition
room visitors are greeted by terminals of national anthems of different countries of Europe, followed by
rooms dedicated to music. Four sons of Ferenc Erkel were also musicians less known but equally precocious
and so a third room was dedicated to their work and contributions. Ferenc Erkel was also a very good
chess player, which is celebrated in the form of an annual chess competition which bears his name. The
bedroom, living room and kitchen evoke the past rustic lifestyle and the Erkel family.
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