Institute and Museum of Military History in Buda Castle
Institute and Museum of Military History in Buda Castle by T. Quine

Museum of Military History

Being packed with military memorabilia, loaded with weaponry and bringing battle scenes to life an exciting and fun family day for all is guaranteed in the Institute and Museum of Military History.

The Military Museum has moved to a different location. No longer open in the Buda Castle.

The museum contains collections relating to Hungary’s military history from the medieval times to the world wars and beyond and also displays impressive series of weaponry, uniforms, armour, flags, and coins.

Institute and Museum of Military History in Buda Castle
Museum of Military History in Buda Castle

In addition to the story of Hungary’s history of warfare, there are some cannons by the entrance in the beautiful courtyard along with a few cannonballs in the wall (dating back to the Revolutions of 1848-49) and there is an outdoor statue and memory park providing a magnificent view on the River Danube.

The institution is also a research centre with a library and archives, housing national and international conferences, events.

History

Although originally built as an army barrack in the 1830s, the museum itself was established in the early 1920s with the aim to research, organise, systematise and exhibit the artefacts of both universal and Hungarian military history and to house military items.

Not surprisingly, the building itself was damaged during WWII and, unfortunately, much of its contents was destroyed.

Institute and Museum of Military History in Buda Castle
Military Museum Budapest / T Quine

The exhibits focus particularly on the 1848–49 War of Independence and the Hungarian Royal Army under the command of Admiral Miklos Horthy (1918–43).

One of the most grievous collection describes and displays the events of the Revolution of 1956, a nationwide uprising against the government of the Hungarian People’s Republic and its Soviet  friendly policies, lasting for less than a month and bloodily suppressed by the Soviet troops.

 

Opening hours

Institute and Museum of Military History in Buda Castle
Institute and Museum of Military History in Buda Castle

The Military Museum has moved to a different location. The exhibitions are no longer open in the Buda Castle.

Tue – Sun: 10 am – 4 pm
Closed on Mondays

Tickets
Full price: HUF 1,500
Students/seniors: HUF 750
Family ticket: HUF 3,000

Address: 2-4 Kapisztran Square, Budapest 1014
Phone: +36 (1) 325-1600

Recommended from age 6+

Last updated Nov, 2023

25 comments

  1. Dear sir or madam,
    My name is Maria Koutra and I am from Greece. On Tuesday 2 May 2017, my family and I visited the Museum of Military History.
    We loved your city and your museum. As we watched the exhibits, my son who is eleven years old, forgot his hat in the museum. We bought his hat from your city and on it was written the name of your city which is Budapest. So my son is very sad.
    If you found the hat and if you could sent it to me, I would be very grateful.
    My address is
    Agias Sofias 94
    Thessaloniki 54634
    Greece
    Thank you in advance.

    Yours faithfully
    Maria Koutra

  2. I am a collector and researcher of European enameled orders of decoration. I live in the USA. How might I see pictures online of your collection of medals? Thanks

  3. I am a photo editor for World War II magazine, based here in the US. I’m looking for historic images from the Dec. 1944 siege of Budapest. I’m hoping that you might have some sort of archives, and have images that I’m looking for. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convienence.

    Thank you so much!

  4. Hello, my name is Michelle Dolin, I live in the U.S. I have pictures of an army passbook that was my great grandfather’s. I was hoping to see if someone could translate it for me (there are four pages total that I have copies of). Also, could you offer me direction in finding any of his military records or if that is even available? Any assistance would be greatly appreciate. Thank you.

  5. Hi,
    What are the rules regarding bags? Does the military history museum have a cloakroom, or are backpacks allowed?
    Thanks, Alexia

  6. Hi,
    Do you know of any source of information about the 7th Hussars in the period of 1915 and later? I have one of their pistols, and was wondering where it was used. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas.

    Rick

    • Dear Rick,
      you may wish contact the Museum of Military History for an official reply at the following email address: webmaster [at] mail.militaria.hu
      They will hopefully be able to help you with research details.

      Merry Christmas to you too!

  7. Paulette Kish (Kiss)

    Hello. In my ancestry research I have discovered that my recent Hungarian ancestors (Rumy de Rum et Rábadoroszló) have an extensive history of military service, including several great uncles who were captured and spent years as prisoners of war of Russia during the two World Wars. Is there a way to research from the USA?
    1. My great uncle General Rumy Lajos had a lifetime of military service and awards, including WWI, Counter Intelligence, and WWII, where he was captured on the Eastern front and held 11 years POW.

    2. My great uncle Rumy Ferenc Arpad was also a POW for about 3-6 years, and subsequently arrested and sent to Russian forced labor several times

    3. My great uncle Nagy Aurel, husband of Rumy Jolan, also served, and my understanding – from a letter I have inherited – was “deported” and may have died in service, but I’m not sure.

    I am eager to learn more about these men and their service to Hungary. Any help or direction is greatly appreciated.
    Paulette

  8. Dear Madam .Sir:
    I am conducting a research about abut my relatives in Transylvania during the second world war. I came across the name of a lieutenant that was an officer in the prison in Cluj and helped saving Jews form deportation to Germany in the summer of 1944.His name is CZikkora who was the prison’s benevolent lieutenant .Can you help me locate his details.
    “Czzikkora put on a whole scene so the other guards wouldn’t suspect” (as my relative told his wife).

    Yours

    Asher Heinrich

    • Dear Asher,
      Thank you for contacting us regarding your research.
      Please contact the Museum of Military History directly at webmaster[at]mail.militaria.hu

      Hope we could help.

  9. I m an Indian student, studying in France, so will i get the student discount

  10. Are you still closed? It’s September and I just walked here.

    • Dear Chad,

      There has been a decision made by the government that the Military Museum will be moved to Szekesfehervar, a town approx 1 hour train ride from Budapest, reopening in 2024.
      The current building in the Buda Castle, will, sadly, no longer be open to the public, instead it will be the home of Hungarian military offices and departments fulfilling governmental tasks.
      We will soon update the article.

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