Cultural Gems - The Museum of Fine Arts at Heroes' Square

The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest stands as a cultural gem, inviting visitors to explore its rich collection of artworks spanning various periods and styles. Situated in Heroes' Square, the museum is housed in a magnificent neoclassical building, contributing to the grandeur of the square's architectural ensemble.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024

Address: 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György út 41.

How to get there

To access the Museum of Fine Arts, tourists can conveniently use Budapest's efficient public transport system. The museum is easily reachable by the city's metro line, with the Heroes' Square station (Metro line 1) providing direct access. Buses and trams also serve the area, providing alternative transportation options.

Plan your visit:

Before planning your trip, check the museum's official website for the latest information on ongoing exhibitions and any scheduled events: https://www.mfab.hu/

For further enquiries, please send an email to: info@mfab.hu

GENERAL OPENING HOURS

Monday: closed

Tuesday to Sunday: all exhibitions open from 10.00 until 18:00

The Hall of Prints and Drawings is open from Thursday to Sunday, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Ticket office and admission: until 17.00

Closing of the permanent exhibitions starts at 17.30 from the top floor

MúzeumShop: 10.00–17.45

Fine Art Café: 10.00–17.30 (only with admission ticket)

The building is closed at 18:00

Permanent exhibitions

The permanent exhibitions are arranged according to a new concept: besides the treasures of Egyptian and Classical Antiquity, the history of European and Hungarian art until the end of the 18th century is displayed here. (The collection of International Art after 1800 is on show in the Hungarian National Gallery  as a permanent exhibition.)

The exhibitions are air-conditioned, the temperature is around 20-22 °C (68-72 Fahrenheit)

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Welcome to the Museum of Fine Arts

The history of the Museum of Fine Arts dates back to the turn of the 20th century when it was conceived to showcase Hungary's artistic heritage. The construction of the museum was entrusted to architects Albert Schickedanz and Fülöp Herzog and started in 1900. Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts was inaugurated 6 years later on December 1st 1906, by Franz Joseph Ist, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The museum has since evolved into a significant cultural institution. Its neoclassical façade, adorned with statues and decorative elements, pays homage to the artistic traditions it houses within.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest in 1906, Source: Fortepan, photos of György Klösz

The museum's architecture itself is a testament to the commitment to artistic expression. Its grandeur reflects the classical influences prevalent in the early 20th century, creating a harmonious blend of aesthetics and purpose.

Approaching the building from Heroes’ Square, visitors are greeted by the façade of an antique temple with impressive Corinthian columns and with a wide staircase leading up to the main entrance. Going through the colonnaded entrance hall, you arrive at the spacious reception area and from there straight into the ’heart of the building’, the Renaissance Hall.

The Renaissance Hall of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, Source: www.unsplash,com

The Renaissance Hall of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, Source: www.unsplash,com

The Romanesque Hall 

The hall evoking the interior of a Romanesque basilica is articulated with monumental columns and pillars. For seventy years it was used as a warehouse and now it is one of the most striking, fascinating and representative halls of the Museum of Fine Arts. The remarkably rich decorations were painted by Károly Miksa Reissmann and János Glaser.

The Romanesque Hall of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest in 1906, source: Fortepan

The Romanesque Hall of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest today after the reconstruction, source: Museum of Fine Arts

The Baroque Hall

The impressive and monumental Baroque Hall awaits visitors with a rearranged permanent exhibition of works selected from the Old Master Paintings and the Old Sculpture Collection encompassing the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The Baroque Hall of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, source: Museum of Fine Arts

Inside, the Museum of Fine Arts boasts an extensive collection of European art, including masterpieces from renowned painters such as Titian, Velázquez, and Goya. The museum's thematic exhibitions and curated displays offer a journey through art history, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and curious tourists alike.

Permanent Exhibitions:

• Ancient Egypt

• Classical Antiquity

• European Art 1250-1600

• European Sculpture 1350-1800

• Art in Hungary 1600-1800