Budapest is packed with museums and galleries, some that you won't find anywhere else in the world - did you know that the city also has a museum dedicated to household electronics, the history of the ambulance, and even 'smithy equipment'? Night of the Museums, held this year in Budapest on June 24th, is a great opportunity to discover several quirky exhibits for the price of a single ticket. In addition these museums will all have something special for visitors on this particular day, including plenty of kid's programs.Kresz Géza Ambulance Museum (Kresz Géza Mentőmúzeum)
Stretchers, badges, transport incubators, first-aid kits, sirens, emergency lights, switchboards and more are on display at this unique museum. Visitors can also take a look at some modern and vintage rescue vehicles and equipment used at the turn of the 20th century.
On the "Night of the Museums", guided tours will take visitors behind the scenes of the emergency call center (104).
Address: Markó utca 22, Budapest 1055
Museum of Electrotechnics (Elektrotechnikai Múzeum)
Hungarian inventions include the first electric motor (Ányos Jedlik) and generators for electric locomotives (Kálmán Kandó), so it's only appropriate to dedicate a museum to the history of electrical engineering. Permanent exhibitions include a collection of early electrical household items and neon signs. The building of a former 1930s Bauhaus-style transformer station is the perfect home for the museum.
The "Night of the Museums" brings special interactive exhibitions for kids with robots & robotics, puzzles, model trains and more. If your kid's Hungarian is better than yours be sure to sign them up for a guided tour. These fascinating tours explain the science behind the exhibits in a fun and interactive way, albeit only in Hungarian.
Address: Kazinczy u. 21, Budapest 1075
Foundry Museum (Öntödei Múzeum)
The first 100 visitors to purchase their tickets for the "Night of the Museums" at the museum get a free sampling of "krampampuli", the smelter's special, hot beverage. And if that isn't reason enough to visit the Foundry Museum you can also take a guided tour with the smelters themselves. Who would have thought that a collection of cast-iron stoves and smithy equipment in a former foundry can be exciting?
Be sure to take public transportation or the Museum Buses, included in the ticket price, as we have no idea what's in "krampampuli".
Address: Bem József utca 20, Budapest 1027
Underground Railway Museum (Földalatti Vasúti Múzeum)
This museum is dedicated to the history of the first subway line in continental Europe, which began operations in 1896. Train carriages from different eras, including the royal carriage built for Emperor Franz Joseph, are on display.
On the "Night of the Museums" vintage streetcars will be on exhibit at the Deák tér station. True enthusiasts can even take a ride to and from the depot.
Address: Deák Ferenc tér, Subway station, Budapest 1052
Zwack Museum (Zwack Múzeum és Látogatóközpont)
Try Unicum and follow the story of this famous bittersweet drink along with the history of the Zwack family all the way back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Don't forget to check out their unique collection of 15,000 miniature bottles of every alcoholic beverage you can imagine.
The "Night of the Museums" program includes concerts in the museum's courtyard.
Address: Soroksári út 26, Budapest 1095
There are over 200 museums and galleries in Budapest with many participating in the "Night of the Museums", so get your armband at the museum of your choice, the Foundry Museum is a good start, and explore some of the quirky collections.
By Roberta Gyori of VisitBudapest.Travel for XpatLoop.com
23.06.2011