Hungarian Money Museum and Visitor Centre (Budapest, Hungary)
The Hungarian Money Museum and Visitor Centre in Budapest explores the history and role of money through state-of-the-art exhibitions in the restored Postal Palace, making financial culture accessible and engaging for all ages.
The Hungarian Money Museum and Visitor Centre is one of Budapest’s newest cultural institutions, dedicated to exploring the history and role of money in society. Housed in the beautifully restored Postal Palace, a landmark designed by Gyula Sándy with its distinctive central tower, the building itself has a turbulent history, having suffered heavy damage during the Second World War and again in the 1956 Uprising. Purchased by the Central Bank of Hungary in 2016, it was carefully renovated and reopened as a museum in 2022.
The museum’s permanent exhibition, The Path of Money, presents the numismatic collection of the Central Bank of Hungary in a dynamic and accessible way. Divided into five themed hubs, the exhibition combines cutting-edge digital technology with modern design to trace the development of money, its uses, and its impact on society. Visitors encounter engaging stories from Hungarian history alongside broader perspectives on the global economy.
Education and accessibility are central to the museum’s mission. It offers interactive experiences designed for all age groups, from schoolchildren to adults, and is fully integrated into national and international museum networks as a specialist institution. The website is available in Hungarian, English and Chinese, and includes e-learning opportunities that provide personalised learning paths based on each student’s knowledge, goals and interests.
By blending financial education with immersive exhibition design, the Hungarian Money Museum and Visitor Centre offers a unique and engaging cultural experience. As a DASA Award 2023 candidate, it highlights how museums can combine heritage, innovation and public service to address vital issues of knowledge and society.