Step into a living slice of the past at Sóstó Museum Village (Sóstói Múzeumfalu), Hungary’s largest regional open-air ethnographic museum, where village life from 150 years ago feels close enough to touch. The program lineup celebrates peasant culture with hands-on crafts, guided walks, heritage talks, and seasonal traditions. Explore echoes of the Árpád era, join themed sessions, and make something you can take home.
Every Sunday: Felting at the Szabó Workshop
November Sundays in the village mean wool, color, and texture. The felting sessions welcome everyone to craft a personal masterpiece—and yes, you take it with you. All hands-on crafts cost a flat 5 bankó. Bankó is the village’s own currency, available at the ticket office for 100 HUF each, which is about 0.27 USD per bankó. So one craft session comes to roughly 1.35 USD. Dates: November 9, 16, 23, and 30. Same deal every time: make, learn, and go home with something warm and handmade.
Tuesdays: Weaving Sessions
On Tuesdays, the museum village turns into a loom-filled haven. Try simple patterns or just watch the rhythm of warp and weft. It’s a patient craft that shows you exactly how fabric used to come alive in village homes. Scheduled for November 11, 18, and 25.
Fridays: Scent Sachets and Herbal Tea
Fridays are for calm. Sew a fragrant sachet and sip herbal teas while you stitch. You’ll bring your finished sachet home, plus the glow of a quiet hour. Like all craft activities here, it’s 5 bankó—again, purchased at 100 HUF (0.27 USD) per bankó at the ticket desk. Dates: November 14, 21, and 28.
Saturdays: Free Guided Tours
Every Saturday, take a deep-dive walk through the village with free guided tours at 10:30 and 14:00. Hear how buildings were used, who lived where, and how the rhythm of work and celebration shaped rural life. It’s the best way to unlock the stories tucked into timber beams and thatched roofs. Tour dates: November 15, 22, and 29.
Saturdays: Leathercraft Workshops
If your hands like the feel of sturdy materials, the Saturday leathercraft sessions are for you. Cut, punch, and stitch under guidance, and carry your masterpiece home when you’re done. Price: 5 bankó, with bankó sold at 100 HUF (0.27 USD) each. Sessions run November 15, 22, and 29.
November 17: Swabian Heritage Workshop
On November 17 at 10:00, Sóstó Museum Village (Sóstói Múzeumfalu) hosts a public workshop in partnership with the Jósa András Museum and the Municipality of Nyíregyháza (venue: Nyíregyháza-Sóstógyógyfürdő, Skanzen u. 8.). The event is part of the ROHU00528 – Swabian Heritage project, aiming to create a cultural-tourism route and remembrance site for Danube Swabian heritage, strengthen research and interpretation, and build cross-border community participation.
Program highlights:
– 10:00 Greetings by Menyhért Jászai, Deputy Mayor of Nyíregyháza, and Endre Baracsi, Vice President of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Council.
– 10:20 Presentation of the Sándor Erdész Award, with remarks moderated by regional museum director Zsuzsanna Baloghné Szűcs.
– 10:40 Tamás Szalay, Director of the Danube Swabian Central Museum (Donauschwäbisches Zentralmuseum): The museum’s concept and the boundaries and possibilities of interpretation.
– 11:10 Dr. Bernadette Baumgartner, visiting researcher at UR Hungaricum – Hungarian Institute (Ungarisches Institut, Ravensburg University): The history of the Szatmár Swabians from the beginnings to today.
– 11:40 Q&A, followed by a 12:00 lunch.
– 12:45 Dr. Melinda Marinka, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Debrecen Institute of Ethnography and Museology: Heritage and belonging among the Szatmár Swabians.
– 13:15 Dr. Levente Szilágyi, Research Fellow at the ELTE HTK Institute of Ethnographic Research: Tradition and innovation in Szatmár Swabian villages after the regime change.
– 13:45 Teodora Bagosi, project coordinator, Foundation for the Protection of Historical Monuments of Bihor County (Oradea Heritage): Research plan for Swabian culture in Bihor County and Satu Mare.
– 14:15 Q&A.
– 15:00 A walk and guided tour in the museum village.
Participation is free but requires registration.
December 13: Village Advent
Mark the date for Village Advent (Falusi Advent) on December 13. Expect traditions, craft scents, candles, and winter stories coming to life in wooden rooms and under crisp skies. It’s the kind of slow, communal celebration that makes the year feel complete.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
