Szentendre's Folk Museum Recreates Life Long Ago
Focus Highlights Culture, Buildings, Customs of Nine Regions
Sep 5, 2009
Hungary’s history comes alive at the Hungarian Open-Air Museum of Ethnography (commonly known as Skansen), just north of Szentendre and a 30-minute drive from downtown Budapest. Begun in 1967 to preserve the architectural traditions of 18th and 19th century Hungary, the museum is a work in progress. The present projects under the Heritage Program include construction of a village representing the region in Northern Hungary between the Ipaly and Hernad Rivers and the lifestyle of the Paloc people; a new entrance building. and a 2.4 kilometer railroad with five stations.
Nine Different Landscape Units Based on Hungarian Regions
Most of the outdoor museum’s land has been divided into nine different “landscape units” (the Upper Tisza Region, a Highland Market Town, Northern Hungary, the Central Tisza Region, the Great Hungarian Plain, Southern Transdanubia, the Balaton Uplands, Western Transdanubia and Kisalfold).
Within each of these units, houses, farm buildings, stores, schools, churches and other structures are arranged in traditional patterns that follow the customs of the particular region. Since not all of the regions have been finished, visitors can expect to see ongoing projects in various stages of completion.
Each landscape unit’s buildings are different from the others, whether it be the thatching style of their roofs or the ecclesiastical décor of their churches. Buildings from each region of the country have been demolished and reassembled at Skansen. Tombstones, bell towers, farm equipment, blacksmith shops, roadside shrines and weaving mills have been moved from their original sites.
What makes the villages and farms most interesting is their completeness. Care has been taken so that even the tiniest details are authentic. Celebrations are held in each of the units on their special days.
Special Events Exemplify Ethnic Traditions
The Ethnological museum is at its most exciting during special celebrations such as Easter, St. Florian’s Day, St. George’s and other Saints’ days; grape gathering and days commemorating national heroes. Ecclesiastical services are also held throughout the year, as are dozens of demonstrations of various skills, such as food preparation, thatching and blacksmithing. Other large-scale events focus on various aspects of farm and village life, common to all regions, These events center around such subjects as folk traditions, cottage industries and handcrafts.
Visitor Facilities include Ethnographic Study Collection
The museum, which regularly mounts temporary exhibits, also includes an ethnographic study collection, a grocery store, restaurant, bakery and children’s playground. Although admission fees are charged, entrance to the museum’s permanent exhibits is free every Tuesday and Wednesday. Guided tours in English, French and German are available for an additional fee.
 |
