Ádám Vay Museum

In the town of Vaja, Szabolcs-Szatmár County, the Ádám Vay Museum, founded in 1964, was housed in the 17th‑century Vay family manor house in Vaja.

The institution's primary task is the research of the Rákóczi era, the preservation of the memory of the War of Independence and Kuruc traditions. Its exhibitions present, among other things, the former furnishings of the manor house and the age of Prince Rákóczi.

History

The manor was built in three phases. At the beginning of the 17th century the main building was completed in Renaissance style, which was expanded with the addition of the northern tower in 1659. Its final appearance was achieved at the beginning of the 18th century with the completion of the southern tower.

The transformation carried out in the 1860s eliminated the building's Renaissance character. In the interior spaces and on the façade the stone‑frame doors and windows were removed and replaced with the carpenter‑style doors that can still be seen today. On the façade the window openings were narrowed, and pointed‑arch windows and window pairs were installed. The manor retained this form for more than a century.

The building's first restoration requiring heritage protection took place between 1960 and 1962. At that time they already aimed to present the original state.

During the large‑scale restoration and conservation works carried out between 1996 and 2004, the manor was brought even closer to its 17th‑century appearance.

According to the government decision published in resolution No. 1543/2012 (XII.4.), the museum institution continues its previous activities within the organization of the Hungarian National Museum.

Founding of the Museum

Molnár Mátyás, the renowned folk culture promoter who played a leading role in the museum's creation, was transferred from Túristvándi to Vaja in the spring of 1957. He succeeded in having the National Heritage Protection Office restore the manor house, and in 1964 the museum opened in the building under his leadership. In memory of Molnár Mátyás, the settlement and the county museum directorate erected a commemorative plaque already in 1983, and one local school also bears his name.

Permanent exhibitions

In 2009 the museum's permanent exhibitions presented certain aspects of the Rákóczi era, especially focusing on the role of the Upper Tisza region in the Rákóczi War of Independence. In addition, of course, a large place is given to the history of the Vay family, the family's furniture and other memorabilia.

In the large vaulted hall on the cellar level a stone repository, lapidarium can be seen, which displays Renaissance stones uncovered during archaeological excavation. A colored glass panel with a tin frame is also visible here, which was characteristic in the castle's peak vaulted period. The stone coat of arms, placed here during the restoration of the northern tower, came from the western façade. In the two wall niches visible in the cellar, Tokaji and Eger wines can be seen.

In the ground‑floor rooms contemporary visual art exhibitions are regularly organized, including works created at the Vaja International Art Camp and the Winter Creator Camp. The ground‑floor large hall, besides seasonal exhibitions, is also suitable as a conference room, preserving its former library function as well. The room is also adorned by a tiled stove from the early 19th century, which was fully restored during the latest restoration.

In the museum park a sculpture exhibition presenting dozens of historical personalities of the Rákóczi War of Independence can be seen.

Art‑historical values

The ceiling fresco of the large hall on the second floor was created in 1896 by Ferenc Lohr for Ádám Vay, the then owner of the castle. With this artwork the Vay family wanted to commemorate the millennium of the Hungarian conquest. The painter depicted a moment of the Battle of Nicopolis (1396), when a member of the Vay family, Titus Vay (Tihamér), assisted King Sigismund in escaping from the battle. For this deed Vay Titus received a coat of arms and the right to bear a mantle in 1418 from the king.

The stucco decoration of the first-floor barrel-vaulted hall, which is contemporary with the castle, was uncovered during thorough research led by archaeologist Juan Cabello in 2000.