Step into a world of mysticism and dreams at Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum) this autumn, where October and November are bursting with exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and curated tours that take visitors from ancient Egypt to the fevered imagination of William Blake. The city’s cultural calendar is packed with programs appealing to everyone—from devotees of Renaissance painting to Halloween thrill-seekers and inquisitive children eager to hold a 3,000-year-old Egyptian artifact in their hands.
A Dreamscape of William Blake and British Romanticism
Throughout late October and early November, the museum presents “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Up Close,” an exhibition dedicated to William Blake—the visionary poet, artist, and “mad genius” of the 18th century. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in his symbolism-soaked paintings and explore the dreamlike parallel universe conjured by the English Romantics. It’s not just about the art: literary works and mythic beings fill every corner, blurring the boundaries between word and image.
Don’t expect a traditional tour. On several special dates, guest writers, philosophers, and artists offer “unorthodox guided tours,” sharing their personal connections to Blake’s world. These interactive sessions dive into how British Romanticism resonates today and how its wild visions have seeped into contemporary culture.
Blake’s exhibition is also the focus of “slow museum” tours, where you’re encouraged to savor and interpret the paintings at your own pace, letting poetry and painting swirl together for a highly personal experience. And if you’re looking for a creepy twist, Halloween week brings “Romantic Nightmares,” a tour investigating the links between Blake’s fantastical landscapes and the monsters of Gothic horror—a direct line from then to today’s darkest films.
Ancient Egypt: Hands-on with History
The long-running “Kezet rá!” (“Hands On!”) program, an institution since 2010, lets visitors get breathtakingly close to ancient Egypt—literally. In the Chamber of Egyptian Secrets, well-trained museum volunteers invite you to handle genuine millennia-old relics, unveiling their stories through touch and tales. On certain days, you can join live workshops about the mysterious lives of embalmers, the ever-evolving trends in wooden coffins, and how death, family, and the afterlife shaped both gods and humans.
For those especially drawn to Halloween and the rituals surrounding death, the tour “What Should We Wear in the Afterlife? Coffin Trends in Ancient Egypt” opens the doors to burial customs and the secret lives of the museum’s resident mummies. Throughout, you’ll hear stories of ancient family squabbles, the structure of society, and questions that, surprisingly, feel relevant today.
Halloween Night: Memento Mori in the Galleries
If you crave the eerie and thought-provoking, Halloween night at the museum is unmissable. Guided by art historian Ágnes Mertus, the “Night at Szépmű” event explores themes of death and remembrance in art—think skulls, saints, martyrs, and monuments leaping from “memento mori” paintings. Visitors trace how grief, respect, and faith crisscross and collide in the faces and epitaphs lining these halls. Expect chilling stories and spine-tingling details, perfect for All Hallows’ Eve.
Learning for All—From Kids to Educators
Children and families aren’t left out. The October “Hello Szépmű!” sessions put animals in the spotlight, while creative workshops called “Museum Breaks” explore what ancient Greek vase-painters, Venetian nobles, and long-lost professions were really like. On October 28, teachers can enjoy a free “Slow Museum” recreation day, complete with an education fair and a taste of the slow-art movement.
Masterpieces and Free Days
Don’t forget the classics. Every week, English-speaking visitors can join “A Masterful Selection of Masterpieces,” a 60-minute highlight tour through the museum’s renowned Renaissance and Baroque collection. Discover timeless works, unravel the legends that inspired them, and see how the great masters created art that still resonates centuries later.
On October 23, Hungary’s national holiday, the museum opens its doors to everyone for free from 10 am to 5 pm—no ticket needed, but be prepared to queue. Doors close at 6 pm sharp, so don’t miss your opportunity.
This fall, whether you come for visions of Heaven and Hell, reach out to touch the distant past, or seek to lose yourself in a macabre night of art and remembrance, Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts promises a season full of inspiration, imagination, and the spectacular strangeness of history.
