Looking to pick up practical, old-school skills that still make life better in the modern world? The Heritage Workshop series at the Skanzen Open Air Museum in Szentendre (Szentendrei Skanzen) delivers just that—hands-on knowledge passed down through generations, now revived for anyone who’s curious. Forget stuffy lectures. Here, museum specialists and master craftspeople guide curious attendees through everything from baking in wood-fired ovens to brewing herbal teas, making natural cosmetics, and even restoring delicate old books. The goal? To inspire locals and visitors alike to embrace crafts and know-how that never go out of style.
What’s in Store for 2025?
This year’s program covers an irresistible range: from oven baking and traditional home maintenance to bookbinding, custom gift-wrapping paper, herbal therapy, and painted furniture. Each session provides personal guidance and a healthy dose of nostalgia, blending old-world skills with modern relevance.
Fire Up Those Ovens
Let’s face it, food baked in a wood-fired oven just tastes (and smells) different. The museum boasts a variety of traditional ovens, and workshop participants not only get all the theoretical knowledge—from fuel selection to maximizing oven heat—but also roll up their sleeves to bake classic Hungarian breads, flatbreads, and pastries. These baking sessions are scheduled for September 20, 2025 (Saturday, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM). Registration closes September 12. Costs include entry to the Skanzen plus an extra $40 per session per person (annual passholders pay only the workshop fee). The workshops are led by chief architect Miklós Buzás and educator Enikő Tódor.
Activities on offer:
- Discover different oven types and their uses
- Learn to fire up ovens and choose the right fuels and tools
- Get tips for using oven heat economically
- Hands-on: bake bread, flatbread, and sweet kalács (Hungarian sweet bread)
Master Village Home Maintenance
Inherited a mud-brick house from your grandmother? Dreaming of converting an old farmhouse into a weekend retreat? Facing mysterious damp patches, cracks, or insect-damaged beams? This workshop is for anyone puzzled by traditional buildings or struggling with their upkeep. Experts share secrets of classic materials and practical renovation skills—like plastering and whitewashing. The same September 20 session applies, with a $40 workshop fee in addition to admission. Participants learn through hands-on demonstrations, trying their own hand at age-old maintenance methods, and leave with useful advice straight from master builder Miklós Buzás and tradition-keeper Miklós Szigethy.
What you’ll cover:
- Introduction to traditional construction materials and methods
- Common farmhouse maintenance tasks explained
- Theory plus practice: roll up your sleeves for real repair work
- On-the-spot expert consultations
Bookbinding: Giving Heirlooms New Life
Paper restoration and bookbinding might sound old-fashioned, but there’s nothing like the feel (and smell) of a real book in your hands. Have a treasured family diary, your aunt’s recipe collection, or a certificate gathering dust that needs repair? Led by the Skanzen’s paper restorer, the September 26 session (Friday, 2–5 PM, register by September 19) starts with a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Marosvásárhely Press (Marosvásárhelyi Nyomda) exhibition. Next: practical time—make your own notepad or booklet, learning every step. The $25 fee includes admission (annual passholders pay only the workshop fee). Specialists Vera Zámbó and Adél Sári lead the way.
Session highlights:
- Tour and expert tips on preserving your own papers and books
- Active bookbinding: stitch and create your own booklet
Design Your Own Gift Wrap
Ever wanted to paint your own wrapping paper? On October 11 (Saturday, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM, sign up by October 3), participants can do just that. The event opens with a quick immersion into the history of paper and decorative techniques, then a visit to the museum’s old print shop before crafting begins. Use combs, brushes, and your imagination to create vivid, personalized sheets—perfect for books, gifts, or cards. The $25 fee (plus admission, with annual passholders paying only the workshop fee) covers everything. There’s even time to explore unique museum sites while your paper dries. Led by expert Vera Zámbó.
Agenda:
- History and art of paper decoration
- Hands-on session with starchy marbled paper
- Optional museum tour while your work dries
Herbal Wisdom: From Tea to Natural Cosmetics
Herbal remedies are making a comeback—and these spring and early summer workshops offer everything from blending herbal teas and making natural cosmetics to extracting essential oils. Three standalone sessions (April 25, May 16, June 13, all Fridays 2–5 PM, with a five-day signup cutoff) are available; sign up separately for $25 each, or grab a three-session bundle for $65 (plus admission; annual passholders pay only the workshop fee). Begin by smelling fifty dried plant varieties in the “Witch’s Kitchen” (Boszorkánykonyha), sipping some tea, touring the historic pharmacy, then diving deep in the “Discovery Lab” (Felfedező Labor). Each segment is led by specialists Erzsike Kovács, Andrea Herczeg, and Adél Sári.
Themes include:
- Crafting tailor-made herbal tea blends using traditional and modern knowledge
- DIY herbal cosmetics for hair, skin, and body—plus a take-home skin-repair balm
- Delving into essential oils: theory, practice, and take-home knowledge
There’s no need to attend all the sessions—but if you do, you’ll get a discount and a thorough grounding in the green arts.
In a world that increasingly values authenticity and sustainability, these Skanzen workshops bridge the past and present, making everyday traditional skills fresh, practical, and fun for all.
