Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet, known in English as the National Theatre History Museum and Institute, is a unique spot nestled in the castle-like splendor of Buda, Budapest. If you have ever walked up to the winding streets of the Castle District, you might have missed this unassuming yet extraordinary building at Krisztina körút 57. But behind its stone facade lies an experience blending history, art, and drama—sometimes literally! Forget the kind of “museum” where hushed silence is the only sound. Instead, picture halls filled with the echo of applause, the glamour of famous costumes, and echoes of iconic voices from Hungarian theatre’s long and storied past.
The heart and soul of the museum lies in its commitment to unearthing and celebrating the entire ecosystem of Hungarian theatre from the 18th century to the present. The place feels incredibly alive with stories of legendary actors like Blaha Lujza, the “Nightingale of the Nation,” and Kornélia Széppataki Déryné, Hungary’s first professional actress, both of whom left indelible marks on stage and society. Among the many items on display are playbills and posters, intricate costume sketches, hand-painted miniature set designs, and, perhaps most impressively, the real costumes worn by stars of yesteryear. Standing in front of Liszt-era opera cloaks or golden gloves from a 1930s revue, you get a rare sense of theatre as both an artifact and a living thing. These tangible bits of history, lovingly preserved, bridge the gap between the distant world of candle-lit stages and the city’s thriving contemporary drama scene.
But what makes this museum especially fascinating is that it’s not just about what happened “once upon a time.” Current research, playful exhibitions, and temporary shows all filter through the Institute’s passionate work. The staff here aren’t just curators and historians; they’re active researchers supporting the ongoing story of Hungarian theatre. Their library is overflowing with rare scripts, promptbooks scribbled with personal notes, photographs of legendary performances, and sound recordings capturing the unique voices that once filled the nation’s halls. You’re just as likely to stumble upon a workshop with a present-day playwright as you are an event commemorating the centenary of a famous actor.
A visit to the Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet is like crossing a time portal into the soul of Hungarian creativity. Kids can try on costume replicas or create their own shadow play. If you’re lucky, you might visit during a special event—some of which spill out into the beautifully restored gardens. (The building, by the way, is the former Várszínház, a working 19th-century theatre, and the only original theatre building left from that period in Budapest.) Even those who don’t speak Hungarian can appreciate universal tales of love, ambition, invention, and, of course, backstage shenanigans. The universal language of stagecraft, combined with bite-sized English info panels, makes the exhibits accessible and lively.
The museum is not a snobby, hands-off institution. It’s a warm, sometimes quirky space, infused with a sense of pride for Budapest’s artistic heritage. It’s the sort of place where a visitor might realize how much the joys and struggles of actors, playwrights, and audiences throughout the ages still mirror our own. For a taste of Hungary’s heart—equal parts laughter, tragedy, and glamour—wandering here is both an education and a pure pleasure. So if you find yourself in Budapest, drawn by the Danube or the buzz of the coffeehouses, spare an hour (or three) for the National Theatre History Museum and Institute—and let the city’s stories unfold in acts, costumes, voices, and dreams.
