EXHIBITIONS IN THE VESPRÉM CASTLE DISTRICT
A Veszprémi Boldog Gizella Főegyházmegyei Gyűjtemény a főegyházmegye műtárgyi örökségének őrzője és kutatóhelye. Gyűjteménye liturgikus tárgyakat, festményeket, metszeteket, szobrokat és történeti dokumentumokat foglal magában. A Biró–Giczey Ház kiállításai ezekből merítenek, és egy átfogó egyháztörténeti és művészeti kontextusban válnak értelmezhetővé.
A gyűjtemény szakmai munkáját országos szinten is elismerik: a Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai 2025-ben elnyerte az Év Kiállítása 2025 díjat a 10 millió forint alatti időszaki kiállítások kategóriájában.
Three of them are based on the permanent historical and collection materials, while one is presented as a temporary exhibition.
The visit is rounded out by a tour of the canon’s garden, where a bust of Blessed Mary Magdalene of Bódi is also on display.
The temporary exhibition on display in the frescoed rooms of the Biró–Giczey House focuses on the figure of Mary Magdalene, using her to connect the biblical tradition with the life of Blessed Mary Magdalene of Bódi. The exhibition features a selection of works from the collection, with engravings, paintings, and relics appearing not merely as illustrations but as part of a coherently structured conceptual narrative.
The exhibition won the Exhibition of the Year award in 2025.
What makes it special?
– a space with subdued lighting that follows the rhythm of individual exploration
– The figure of Mary Magdalene is presented from an unconventional perspective
– A rare focus: the story of a female saint takes center stage in the exhibition
– Among the works on display is a special artifact whose significance goes beyond its visual appearance
The archaeological exhibition in the attic presents a selection of the most significant findings from the excavations that have been underway on Castle Hill since 2021. The exhibition explores both the artifacts and the research methods: traces of prehistoric settlements, medieval and early modern burials, digital surveys, restored objects, and notable finds—including the story of the Lancea Regis denarius from the time of St. Stephen—are all brought together here.
What makes it special?
– presents the latest findings from excavations in the Castle District
– The exhibition engages visitors: they can follow the research process, with interactive elements at various points
– A highlight of the collection is the Lancea Regis denarius from the time of St. Stephen, one of the earliest material relics of Hungarian statehood
– The unique atmosphere of the attic brings the uncovered objects and stories into particularly close proximity
– details that are no longer visible on the surface also become apparent
This exhibition explores the world of the Veszprém chapter and its canons. Behind the humorous title lies accurate historical content: visitors learn who the canons were, what role they played in the functioning of the diocese, how they were connected to the archival record, and why the word “chapter” came to have a special meaning in everyday language. The exhibition can be explored through a treasure hunt game.
What makes it special?
– The workings of the Veszprém chapter are explained through concrete examples
– Among the items on display are tools that the canons used in their daily ministry: chalices, monstrances, stamp pads, writing and calculating instruments
– The stall is not merely a piece of furniture, but a symbol of the role and responsibility associated with the chapter
– The material presented illustrates how the diocese functioned as an administrative and spiritual center
The Chamber Exhibition places the material artifacts of St. Michael’s Cathedral’s past in a new context. In the space next to the staircase, Baroque-era artworks, historical photographs, sculptures, and paintings illustrate how the cathedral’s interior and appearance have evolved over the centuries. The exhibition also features a scavenger hunt that guides visitors through the symbols of the angelic choirs.
What makes it special?
– Pieces of the cathedral’s former furnishings are displayed here not in their original locations, but in a new context
– The exhibition captures moments of change: what each transformation meant, and what remains of it
– The stairwell and the hallway are not just background elements, but an integral part of the experience
– The discovery-based game guides visitors through the entire space
Work in Progress 2023, or WIP’23 for short, was a unique, open-format event celebrating the revitalization of Veszprém’s castle district.
It did not present a finished state, but rather that rare moment when the process of a large-scale historic preservation project—including research, restoration, and architectural decisions—was within arm’s reach of the visitor.
The program launched in 2023, halfway through the project, and aimed to make the work-in-progress status, processes, and dilemmas of the renovation visible. This is precisely what gave the WIP its strength: visitors did not encounter a finished result in hindsight, but rather the process itself. It was accompanied by guided WIP walks, temporary openings, research presentations, and on-site interpretations. WIP subsequently evolved continuously as locations and work phases changed; then, the helmet tours previously known as WIP concluded in November 2025, replaced by new thematic walks. WIP is therefore no longer the name of a current program, but rather an important chapter in the renewal of the castle district, one of which we can be justifiably proud.
The WIP demonstrated that renewal is not only a result but can also be a cultural experience in its own right.
The visit is a complete experience on its own, but it can also be incorporated into a full day’s itinerary alongside other activities.
