Aquincum Museum

It was wonderful experience!!! Reminded Ostia Antica. Ancient history open air makes great impression and leaves unforgettable menories. Frosty sunny day with a lot of snow ❄️❄️❄️ added even more beauty to the scenary. Unside exhibitions were also interesting. We especially liked descriptions of hustorical past of Hungary at the time of Roman Empire written in English. Our special thanks to security employee named Laszlo (if I am not mistaken) who was naturally friendly, kind and very professional. We wishing him all the best!

OK, I ridden by this place on the HEV for over 20 years and never thought about stopping brought some friends there and they absolutely loved it some fairly cool exhibits and really helps to explain the history of the area back 2000 years. Definitely worth a morning or afternoon of your time if you’re here for a longer stay. if you’re on a strict time limit, I would check the Roman exhibit in the basement of the national Museum downtown near Kalvin Square. But if you enjoy that exhibit and want more, this is definitely your place.

Aquincum, whose ruins are now within Budapest’s borders, was a city located on the northeastern border of the Roman Empire and remained under Roman rule for nearly 400 years. With its strategic location, it was an important military base along the Pannonian Limes, a key part of the Roman Empire’s Danubian Limes. The ruins and historical artifacts uncovered by 19th-century excavations in the area are now exhibited in the Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park. We visited the site just before the rain, on a day when the colors of nature caught my eye, and had a long, enjoyable walk. Like many archaeological sites, although there wasn’t enough information, the museum was a noteworthy place in terms of museology. The museum complex, which consists of various buildings at different points, was meticulously prepared. There is no such beautiful narration and museology at the Forum Romanum. One of the most notable things I seen in the museum was the display of a 19th-century Hungarian’s reinterpretation of the Tabula Peutingeriana, making it more comprehensible. The way the map was presented allowed for easy exploration, and we spent an enjoyable time examining it closely.

It is found away from central Budapest, on the Buda side, north from the Margaret island, accessible by bus and HEV (light railway). The museum was quiet but very informative, plenty to see inside the museum building as well as the ruins outside. Don't forget to admire the reconstructed Roman "water" organ... Bilingual labels, English and Hungarian are a great help. A visit is highly recommended to this hidden Roman age.

Underrated museum. I spent over six hours at the site. Acquincum was centre of Pannonia Roman province for nearly four centuries, a town of 40 000 when Paris was of 10 000. I had two guided tours with Orsolya Láng, former director – she is a uniquely insightful person with character and humour. About 2/3 of remains still uncovered – Ms Láng surprised me saying it is better this way: 1. few decades of polluted city air already partly destroyed inscriptions on many artefacts (!), and 2. they don’t have the (human/fiscal) capacity to uncover more. Sadly, there were few visitors – maybe the American-style shallow but sensationalist guidebooks (been there, ticked it) omit the place? The area, Óbuda is really the core of Budapest up to about 15th century mostly ignored by foreign tourists, and was place of first Hungarian settlements in the area, the queen held a her court there till Turks destroyed it in 16th c. – till end 19th century most important Jewish presence in Hungary. Buda castle area gained prominence only after 14th century, till then Óbuda area around Roman remains was the core. A tour with Orsolya Láng is highly recommended. Hopefully the politically motivated free-for-all will cease soon and Ms Láng and the museum can focus on their work instead. Free visits and guided tours (in Hungarian) on prime Hungarian national holidays (15th March, 23rd Oct, 20th Aug + open days of cultural heritage usually in Sept.).

Stunning views, but the vignette is priced like a private yacht charter on the Danube. Hungarians avoid the highways, leaving them to tourists who have no choice. Well played! 🛥️😅

A well-organized museum showcasing the artifacts excavated from Aquincum as well as the history of the city. I enjoyed learning about the ancient Roman culture, such as the importance of bathhouses and the water organ, a musical instrument played with water. The vast majority of the displays are in both Hungarian and English, but the supplementary features of the museum, such as demonstrations and talks are in Hungarian only. I would highly recommend taking a walk around the actual ruins after the museum to experience what the city was like back in the day. There are smaller displays, such as one on Roman food, not attached to the main museum.

Definitely worth doing if you're a museum person who reads Hungarian or English. You can spend several hours here. The descriptive texts are very interesting, and the ruins themselves make a lot more sense if you slow down and match the rooms to their functions on the posted maps. Very well written and explained.