Museums

The Kodály Institute of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music has been a world-renowned centre of Hungarian music pedagogy associated with the name of Zoltán Kodály since 1975, and an important international hub for higher-level studies in music education. Located in Kecskemét in the former Franciscan monastery building, the Institute aims to preserve the intellectual heritage of the world-famous composer, music educator and musicologist, and to train Hungarian and international music educators based on Kodály’s theory. In line with the goals of the Liszt Academy, the Institute carries out educational, research, cultural and museum activities.

The exhibition presenting the life and work of Zoltán Kodály can be visited on weekdays and weekends from 10:00 to 18:00

The Cifrapalota, an exhibition venue of the Katona József Museum in Kecskemét, aims to reach all age groups- from the youngest to the oldest - with its permanent and temporary exhibitions and cultural programmes. In connection with the exhibitions, it offers scientific, educational, entertaining and family programmes, concerts, lectures, guided tours, museum education sessions, and lasting, high-value cultural experiences. The exhibition spaces of the former Art Nouveau rental palace can be visited individually or in groups via several routes. Information about current exhibitions and programmes is available at https://kkjm.hu/cifrapalota, as well as on the Cifrapalota Facebook and Instagram pages.

Contact:
Address: 6000 Kecskemét, Rákóczi Street 1
Phone: +36 76 480 776
Email: cifrapalota.kecskemet@gmail.com

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00, ticket office closes at 16:30

The House of Science and Arts in Kecskemét was opened to the public in 1974 as a centre for technical and scientific dissemination. The building was originally constructed in the 1800s as a synagogue based on the plans of János Zitterbach. After World War II, religious practice ceased in the building, and in 1966 the City Council of Kecskemét decided to purchase it from the Hungarian Jewish Community, bringing it into state ownership. Based on the designs of architect József Kerényi, the monument-protected building was converted into a conference centre in line with contemporary needs, while preserving its external architectural appearance and interior spaces. Today, it is one of the most prominent and beautiful buildings on the Main Square.

Michelangelo Gallery at the House of Science and Arts
A unique permanent exhibition in Hungary can be visited at the House of Science and Arts. Full-size plaster casts of Michelangelo’s world-famous sculptures are displayed in the second-floor gallery. The history of plaster cast collecting in Hungary is closely linked to the development of the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts. The purpose of casting, collecting, and exhibiting was to make masterpieces of past eras accessible to a wider audience. Viewing an accurate replica offers both visitors and artists the opportunity to recall a known artwork or prepare for a future encounter with it. The experience provided by these replicas is exemplified by this special exhibition in Kecskemét. In the Michelangelo Gallery, visitors can see 15 sculpture replicas and enjoy an unforgettable experience at the House of Science and Arts.

Kecskemét, Rákóczi Street 2

Opening hours:
Monday–Thursday: 08:00–15:00
Friday: 08:00–14:00
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

After prior arrangement, groups may also visit outside opening hours.

Contact:
Phone: +36 76 505 688, +36 76 505 689, +36 30 210 2744
Email: titbkkm@gmail.com, bkkmtit.igazgato@gmail.com
Web: titbkvm.hu

The ecclesiastical art collection of the Danubian Reformed Church District was founded in 1967. It has operated as a museum in Kecskemét since 1983. Its parent institution is the Ráday Collection located in Budapest.

Our church district is the largest Reformed ecclesiastical administrative unit in Hungary. The museum’s collection area covers the entire district. Its holdings include objects representing the life and history of congregations within the district—primarily material culture such as historical sources, fine arts, applied arts, and folk art. Today, the collection is largely enriched through donations.

Our aim is to introduce visitors to the life of Calvinist congregations. We present the typical furnishings of our churches, the liturgical traditions of Reformed worship, and the related object ensembles. Although created for specific purposes, these objects also reflect the characteristic artistic styles of their periods.

Our exhibition is recommended for those interested in cultural history, church history, art history, and lovers of beautiful objects.

Exhibitions:

• The Ecclesiastical Art of the Danubian Reformed Church District
• Secrets of the Locked Room – The Life and Art of János Muraközy
• Fuxreiter Mineral Collection: The Third Kingdom of Nature

More information:
Ráday Museum
Kecskemét, Kálvin Square 1, 6000
https://radaymuzeum.hu/hu
radaymuzeum.muzped@gmail.com
+36 76 486 226

The Leskowsky Musical Instrument Collection is one of the most unique cultural attractions in Kecskemét, showcasing rare and special instruments from many parts of the world. The collection contains thousands of items, ranging from exotic folk instruments to unique, custom-made pieces.

During interactive guided tours, visitors can not only admire but also play many of the instruments, turning the visit into a true hands-on experience. It is an ideal programme for families, music enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a special and inspiring activity in the city.

Registration before visiting is recommended!
More information: https://hangszergyujtemeny.hu/index.html

The Szórakaténusz Toy Museum and Workshop opened in 1981. The iconic building was designed by József Kerényi, an architect awarded the Ybl and Kossuth Prizes. In our institution, not only children can experience the liberating joy of play, but adults can also relive forgotten moments of their childhood.

The permanent exhibition offers insight into the world of bourgeois toys from the turn of the century, featuring railway models, stone construction toys, dollhouses, porcelain dolls, and paper toys. It also presents Hungarian artistic toys from the early decades of the 20th century, the magical equipment of Rodolfo, the world-famous magician, old children’s books, and popular board games from the 1960s and 1970s. The folk toy collection guides visitors from ancient clay and bone toys into the world of traditional toys from Europe, Asia, and Central America.

At scheduled times, the “Aprók Tánca” and “Antanténusz Workshop” programmes offer meaningful leisure activities for the whole family. In addition, the Szóraka Festival toy festival is held every year on the first Saturday of September.

More information: https://kkjm.hu/szorakatenusz

The Bács-Kiskun County Archives of the Hungarian National Archives is one of the youngest county archives in the country. It was established 60 years ago, in 1950, at the same time as the creation of Bács-Kiskun County. After several name changes, it has held its current name since 2023, and its central building was constructed in 1995 in Kecskemét on Klapka Street.

As a member institution of the Hungarian National Archives, established on 1 October 2012, it primarily collects and supervises the records of public bodies within its jurisdiction (e.g. municipalities, municipal institutions, courts, public prosecutor’s offices, etc.). Its legal duty is to preserve and process the collected materials. Ensuring the accessibility of archival materials and providing information to users regarding the documents preserved here are key tasks.

At the same time, the archive is also a scientific workshop, a centre of local public culture, and an important hub for historical research on the past of Bács-Kiskun County. Its publications and exhibitions aim to make history reconstructed from archival documents accessible to the public.

Research
Research is free of charge for all Hungarian citizens. The documents preserved in the institution can be freely researched—after prior registration—within the legal framework in the archive’s reading rooms.

Customer service
For clients, certified copies or extracts of archival documents confirming personal or property rights are prepared by staff.

Special library
Scientific research is supported by the institution’s special library of nearly 30,000 volumes, which can be used free of charge on site with reading room access. Searching and browsing the library’s holdings is available via the archive’s website under the databases/special library catalogue section.

More information: https://mnl.gov.hu/mnl/bkml/reszlegeink_elerhetosege

The Bozsó Collection is the largest publicly accessible private collection in the region. Visitors can explore special works of Hungarian ethnography, European applied arts, and ecclesiastical art, covering the 15th–19th centuries across more than one thousand square metres. The collection was donated to the city of Kecskemét by painter János Bozsó (1922–1998), a recipient of the Munkácsy Prize. His own artworks are also on display. Drawing from the traditions of the Great Plain painting style, he developed an expressive, emotionally rich artistic style. Temporary exhibitions are also regularly organised.

The Bozsó Collection is located in the peasant Baroque Klapka House, built in 1786. György Klapka, general of the 1848–49 Hungarian War of Independence, lived here between 1832 and 1834 as a young student with his relatives.

On the upper floor, the Hanga Clock Collection is housed. The collection of master clockmaker István Hanga preserves old wall clocks, tower clock mechanisms, and tools.

Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday 10:00–18:00

More information: www.bozso.net

The Folk Applied Arts Collection of the Katona József Museum in Kecskemét is one of the city’s special cultural treasures. The impressive vaulted building, originally a former beer and pálinka distillery house, was built in 1793 and later served over the centuries as a barracks, a spirits distillery, and a bottling plant. It opened as a museum on 7 December 1984, and today it preserves the rich heritage of Hungarian folk applied arts.

The collection explores the material culture of traditional peasant life and its continuation in folk applied arts. Visitors can discover the finest examples of carving, embroidery, weaving, pottery, and small-scale folk crafts, as well as special pieces of shepherds’ art. The exhibited ensembles show how traditional motifs and techniques continue to live on in contemporary works.

The Folk Applied Arts Collection offers an experiential insight into the rich and diverse world of Hungarian folk art. Its programmes appeal to a wide audience: families, students, professionals, and visitors of all ages. Key themes include Kecskemét’s historic fair traditions, shepherd culture, and the world of folk crafts. The institution aims to function as a strong ethnographic centre based on scientific foundations, with national and cross-border professional cooperation, hosting exhibitions, museum education programmes, and large-scale events for those interested in tradition and craftsmanship.

Information:
Tel.: +36 76 327 203
Web: https://kkjm.hu/nepi-iparmuveszeti
Email: muzeum.nepiipar@gmail.com
Address: 6000 Kecskemét, Serfőző Street 19

Opening hours:
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00–16:00
Ticket office closes at 15:30

During our shows, visitors can learn about planets, stars, and constellations, and stay informed about the latest news in astronomy and space exploration. They can also enjoy a spectacular laser show unique in Hungary. Our programmes are recommended for ages 3 to 99.

We welcome GROUPS (minimum 10 people) at any time – even on holidays or late in the evening – with prior arrangement.

For INDIVIDUAL visitors:
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 17:00,
and on Saturdays at 15:00 and 16:30
we hold presentations.

For the monthly schedule and more information, please visit our website.

Contact:
6000 Kecskemét, Lánchíd Street 18/a
info@plani.hu
www.plani.hu

The Kecskemét Animation Film Studio was founded in 1971 as a regional workshop of Pannónia Film Studio. After the political transition, it became an independent company under the name Kecskemétfilm Ltd., with the majority of ownership held by its employees. The studio operates on both the domestic and international film markets with a wide range of productions. Its portfolio includes artistic short films, series, feature-length animated films, educational films, and commercials, and it has recently expanded its services with a 3D department. The hundreds of films produced here have won dozens of awards at international festivals. In addition to its own productions, the studio has participated in several international co-productions, three of which were later nominated for Academy Awards.

Its first major success came with the three series of “Water Spider Wonder Spider,” which were broadcast in 45 countries. The studio’s most famous and longest-running series is “Hungarian Folk Tales,” with 100 episodes produced over 34 years (www.magyarnepmesek.eu). Other notable productions include “Leo and Fred,” the historical series “Legends from Hungarian History,” and “Tales of King Matthias,” all based on Hungary’s cultural heritage.

In 2025, the 17th Kecskemét Animation Film Festival was held, initiated and organised by Kecskemétfilm. The KAFF actually consists of two festivals: a competition of Hungarian animated films produced in the last two years and a competition of European animated feature and TV films, accompanied by a rich supporting programme. All screenings of the festival are free of charge. (More information: www.kaff.hu)

The Animation Studio, awarded the Hungarian Heritage Prize, can be visited in groups by prior arrangement. The programme includes a presentation of the studio and the animation production process, film screenings, and the opportunity to visit the 3D workshop.

Contact:
Kecskemétfilm Ltd.
6000 Kecskemét, Liszt Ferenc Street 21
Tel: +36 76 481 788
Fax: +36 76 481 787
Web: www.kecskemetfilm.hu
Email: kfilm@kecskemetfilm.hu