A military exhibition at the Katonai Emlékpark Pákozd – National Memorial Site (Katonai Emlékpark Pákozd – Nemzeti Emlékhely) brings Hungary’s martial past and present into sharp focus with immersive displays, interactive tech, and original settings. Running on multiple weekends from January 9 to March 8, 2026 in Pákozd, at Mészeg Hill (Mészeg-hegy, 8095), the program spans the triumphant and tragic arc of the 1848–49 War of Independence, 136 years of conscription, and the brutal realities of the 20th-century world wars. Trench warfare takes center stage inside an authentic World War II fighting trench, while contemporary Hungarian military missions and international peacekeeping receive their own spotlight. A modern indoor-outdoor digital guide app (KEMPP) lets visitors roam the park and dive deeper with their phones—learning about the past with the tools of the future.
The Cradle of the Honvéd Army
The memorial park sits near the triangle formed by Pákozd, Pátka, and Sukoró, where the first—and first victorious—battle of the 1848–49 War of Independence was won on September 29, 1848. Here, between the Velence Hills and Lake Velence, the newly organized Hungarian honvéds stopped the Habsburg forces led by the Croatian Ban, Josip Jelačić (Jellačić). That hope‑giving victory helped birth a new army for defending the homeland, and the terrain remains a symbol of that beginning.
Rebuilt Core Exhibition
The park’s oldest permanent exhibition, fully renovated in 2014, offers a sweeping, chronological view of the revolution and war of independence, spotlighting two key local moments: the Sukoró War Council on September 28 and the next day’s victorious battle. Multilingual panels clarify the historical flow, while uniforms, weapons, war flags, and gear bring the period to life. The displays unpack the conflict’s origins, the grueling campaign, and the daily grind of military life, giving visitors a vivid, accessible picture of the era.
War Council and Artillery Brought to Life
Two animated films and two striking live tableaux pull the past into the present. One scene captures a honvéd artillery battery; the other recreates the Sukoró War Council, underlining the battle’s political stakes. The fiery debate that afternoon reveals just how tangled the military and political dilemmas were—and how success hinged on leaders standing together for Hungarian freedom despite clashing views and life circumstances. The lifelike figures and meticulous detail amplify the weight of their decision‑making in those crucial minutes.
Cannons, Tactics, and Hands-On History
Artillery, a decisive branch in 1848–49, appears as a six‑pounder field gun with a life‑sized crew. Visitors learn how a muzzle‑loading piece worked, who did what in the gun team, and what shot types were used—insights that illuminate how the battle unfolded. Museum education sessions let guests handle select weapons, turning history tactile and human. A short film revives the Battle of Pákozd, while another mini‑doc shows period cannon‑casting techniques, sharpening understanding of the era’s military technology and why the battle mattered.
Dates and Access
The Pákozd–Sukoró Battle of 1848 Exhibition welcomes families, school groups, and military history fans alike. Dates: 2026.01.09–01.11; 01.16–01.18; 01.23–01.25; 01.30–02.01; 02.06–02.08; 02.13–02.15; 02.20–02.22; 02.27–03.01; 03.06–03.08, all in Pákozd. Step into the birthplace of the honvéd tradition and feel the atmosphere of one of Hungary’s defining battles at the Katonai Emlékpark Pákozd – National Memorial Site (Katonai Emlékpark Pákozd – Nemzeti Emlékhely).
