Szegedi Vármúzeum

The Szeged Castle Museum – Kőtár lies in the heart of Szeged, at the meeting point of the Tisza bank and the City Bridge. The institution is an exhibition venue of the Móra Ferenc Museum. The museum building is the former last remnant of the Szeged castle, the baroque‑style building constructed between 1762 and 1764 known as the Maria Theresa Gate. In 1999 a roof structure was built on this part and it has since functioned as an exhibition space. During 2019‑2020 a renovation took place, as a result of which a permanent exhibition was established, titled Travel to the Past! Szeged Historical Permanent Exhibition.

Location

The museum is located on the former castle site, in the Palánk district. It is 100 metres from the Móra Ferenc Museum building, 300 metres from Roosevelt Square. It can be reached on foot from the City Bridge at a distance of about 200 metres. In its immediate surroundings are the Upper Tisza bank and the Huszár Mátyás quay.

Near the castle is the Museum stop, where trolleybuses 9 and 19 operate.

History

The Szeged castle was liberated from Turkish captivity in 1688. The condition of the medieval castle was very poor, and consequently its eastern wall collapsed into the Tisza in 1692. Afterwards this part was rebuilt between 1762 and 1764. Following the demolition of the castle in 1881‑1883, the former gate and the armory built in 1751 were restored. In 1999, within a renovation project, a roof structure was erected above it, and on the city‑facing side a block was built that contains a museum storage and exhibition space, a conference room, and a reception‑service unit.

In parallel, archaeological excavations of the former castle's medieval remains began. At the entrance of the exhibition site, the medieval walls were uncovered, followed by the former castle church. In 2007 the castle's north corner wall was uncovered, in 2010 its south wall was uncovered by archaeologists. In 2016 the Castle Garden Beer Hall was set up in the castle ruin garden.

In 2019-20 the building was renovated. It received a new entrance, and the area in front of the exhibition site and the stone depot were renewed. Inside, an interactive exhibition presenting the history of the Szeged castle and the city was created.

Permanent exhibition

The permanent exhibition of the display is built around four major events related to Szeged: the history of the Szeged castle, the Szeged witch trial, the world of the betyárs, and the 1879 Szeged flood. Also, the stone depot can be seen in the courtyard.

Old Szeged and its forgotten castle

The visitor can become acquainted with the history of Szeged and its castle. After watching a short film, they can review the major events on a timeline table. Panels on the walls provide further information. At the end of the boat, a layered arrangement presents objects related to the historical period.

Witches on the scale

The visitor can learn about the history of the Szeged witch trials, about colloquial expressions and the relationship between witchcraft and folklore. With the help of an installation, the visitor can also experience the witch trial.

Ráday prison

The visitor can learn about the period of the Szeged castle prison, and through small screens we get to know the famous prisoners and everyday objects.

"With a roar and a groan it broke the dam"

This unit presents the events and consequences of the 1879 Szeged flood. A special map shows the cityscape before and after the flood.

Stone depot

In the castle courtyard, facing the Tisza, the new stone depot can be seen. Here the visitor can view additional archaeological objects (such as the 18th‑century statue of Saint Demeter from the demolished Saint Demeter church).