So much so far for existence On the periphery
Science museums in Hungary and elsewhere
MúzeumCafé 26.
What is the situation in Hungary? The Danube Museum in Esztergom, acknowledged with a Special Commendation in the 2003 European Museum of the Year awards, is one of the positive examples. It is a small, young museum, yet that may be to its advantage. It opened in an elegant, Baroque building in 1980. The giant construction reminding visitors of an 18th-century water mill mechanism shows how ordinary people used to utilise the power of water; the water moves a hammer, bellows and a seal in addition to the wheels. Furthermore, the Danube Museum is the only one of Hungary’s science collections which has a short film on its website. In the museum itself embossed maps, models and touchable objects assist people with impaired vision. There is no absence of good ideas and interactive elements at the Electrotechnical Museum, 30 years old next year. As part of an EU project named the Street of Culture within the rehabilitation of Budapest’s Elisabeth Town, its listed Bauhaus building was renovated as was the nearby Orthodox synagogue and now their part of the street contributes to the attractive urban environment with new paving and lighting. At the rear, the area of the museum’s transformer is being converted to function as a communal space. The Kiskőrös Public Highway Collection has received EU sponsorship with the exclusive focus of developing the museum. The institution with its collection from across Hungary can thank its existence to an enthusiastic master road-builder, Imre Lévárdy, who settled in Kiskőrös. The open-air bridge section displays a part of Margaret Bridge and the first aluminium bridge constructed in Hungary can be seen here. The Mobilis Interactive Exhibition Centre is opening in Győr 2012.