Hungarian Geographical Museum

In October 1983, the Hungarian Geographical Museum opened in Érd with the purpose of researching, collecting, preserving, scientifically processing, and making publicly available material relics, manuscripts, letters, diaries, expedition reports, books, newspaper articles, works of visual art, and personal estates related to geography as well as Hungarian travelers and geographical explorers. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, it holds 2-3 temporary exhibitions each year.

History

Since the destruction of the Sina Castle in Érd-Ófalu, the city of Érd has had only one significant, non-religious historic building, the former Batthyány–Sina–Wimpffen–Károlyi Castle, which currently houses the Hungarian Geographical Museum. The high-ground, classicist building stands out among the medium-sized country houses around Pest with its beautiful proportions and harmonious appearance. Its façade faces Budai Street, which widens gradually into a square. At both ends, at a proper distance, two low, barrel-vaulted utility buildings are attached at right angles, which now contain apartments and shops. The three buildings enclose a spacious courtyard and garden. The building is 68 meters long and 14 meters wide. The exterior walls are built of brick and limestone from Sóskút. The layout of the interior spaces has been altered several times, with walls being demolished and new ones erected, according to the prevailing uses (apartment, office, school, etc.).

The building was constructed in 1840 on the estate of Prince Batthyány Fülöp. Later the manor became the property of the Wimpffen family, from which the building's name is still used today. Probably members of the Wimpffen family who were residing in Hungary, as well as the estate's officials, lived there. According to Jovicza I. (1971), during the War of Independence the building served as the Austrian commander's headquarters, and the dead of the battles were buried nearby. The spaciousness of the building made it possible to accommodate guests and travelers, as it had previously done at the Pelikán Inn. For example, in February 1871 the members of the funeral procession accompanying the earthly remains of József Eötvös, on their way to Ercsi, also spent the night there.

The statue park

The Hungarian Geographical Museum's renovated garden in 2000–2001 provides a wonderful setting for the sculpted likenesses of the most prominent Hungarian travelers. The first work was unveiled in 1984. After a four‑decade slumber in the stone quarry, the statue of Antal Károly Kossuth‑ and Munkácsy‑award‑winning sculptor Sándor Kőrösi Csoma was erected. The statue of Sándor Kőrösi Csoma was followed by nine more traveler statues, created by the sculptor Béla Domonkos living in Érd. The installation of the artworks was made possible thanks to public donations.

The statues are listed in chronological order of their erection:

Sámuel Teleki (1989)

Count Sámuel Teleki (1845–1916) was born in Sáromberke. He pursued university studies in Germany. He regarded the realization of new geographical discoveries as his life's purpose. He organized, at his own expense, a scientific expedition to the lesser‑known regions of East Africa.

Aurél Stein (1990)

Aurél Stein (1862–1943) became a world‑renowned archaeological researcher of China, India, and Iran after completing western university studies in Oriental studies. He conducted most of his research in the Chinese Tarim Basin. He excavated ancient cities from the desert sands and also reconstructed a section of the famous Silk Road. He was able to achieve his internationally recognized results as a British citizen, but never denied his Hungarian identity. He bequeathed his valuable library to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Baktay Ervin (1991)

Baktay Ervin (1890–1963) was a popularizer of Indian culture and art. Through his sister he was able to travel the many regions of the vast country. He identified the Tibetan and Pashtun monastic sites of Sándor Kőrösi Csoma’s work. In the 1930s he was the editor of the Globe. He became a known writer through his articles and books about India.

Déchy Mór (1992)

Déchy Mór (1851–1917) was a mountaineer and scientific researcher. During his seven expeditions starting from Odesa he became one of the best knowers of the Caucasus. He also took specialists with him on his journeys. His main achievement was the survey of the high‑mountain glaciers.

Teleki Pál (1993)

Teleki Pál (1879–1941) is considered the founder of modern economic geography in Hungary. The outstanding cartographer’s map of the Japanese islands and his cartographic‑history study achieved international success. Another famous map of his is the so‑called red map. He played a significant role in numerous domestic and international organisations. In 1911 he was the first to propose the establishment of a geographical museum. He was prime minister of the country twice, first briefly in 1920 and then from 1939 to 1941.

Prinz Gyula (1993)

Prinz Gyula (1882–1973) was a geographer‑geologist who studied the Tian‑shan. On the recommendation of his teacher Lajos Lóczy he joined György Almásy’s Tian‑shan expedition in 1906. Prinz recorded the Tian‑shan peaks and valleys in wonderful panoramic sketches; some of these are also displayed in our museum’s exhibition. His second expedition led to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Reguly Antal (1994)

Reguly Antal (1819–1858) was born in Zirc. He earned a law degree, but his interest was drawn to languages and travel. He traveled to Germany, Denmark and Sweden, where his attention turned to Finno‑Ugric linguistics. After the Finns he traveled among the small Russian peoples (Mansi, Khanty, Mordvins, Mari) and continued his linguistic collecting work. Based on his linguistic and ethnographic results he became a world‑famous scholar.

László Almásy (1995)

László Almásy (1895–1951) the lover of technology, one of the best acquaintances of the Libyan Desert era. He entered the history of exploratory travels primarily by discovering the Zarzura oasis and the 10‑thousand‑year‑old prehistoric rock paintings of Gilf Kebir. In the Second World War he served as a remote‑sensing officer for General Rommel with the rank of sergeant. Upon returning to Egypt he was appointed director of the Desert Research Institute. He died of a tropical disease in a hospital in Salzburg.