Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition
Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
During the renovation process of the Dominican Church in Vác a priceless treasure of cultural history came to daylight in 1994 when construction workers stumbled upon the entrance, walled up 150 years ago, to a stairway leading to the crypt under the church. In the crypt there were 262 colourful, ornate coffins, mostly in good condition, with the spontaneously mummified bodies of citizens of Vác, who died in the period from the second half of the 18th to the beginning of the 19th century.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
44 reviews
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Sandy O
Sauk City, WI1,091 contributions
Jul 2022
You start in the inside with the history of the building and viewing articles found in the area where the mummies were discovered. There is information written in English so that was a nice plus for us. Several short videos are shown that the guide will turn on for you.
Once there were several of us ready, we were led to the basement segment where the mummies are. I was overwhelmed with emotion viewing the caskets which were beautiful works of art,some of which were those of children. Reading the stories of the three mummies on display made it even more emotional.
Photos are permitted of everything except for the mummies.
Take the time to visit. Takes about an hour total.
Once there were several of us ready, we were led to the basement segment where the mummies are. I was overwhelmed with emotion viewing the caskets which were beautiful works of art,some of which were those of children. Reading the stories of the three mummies on display made it even more emotional.
Photos are permitted of everything except for the mummies.
Take the time to visit. Takes about an hour total.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Runa H
Vac, Hungary11 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
During excavations in the nineties, workers found a forgotten crypt at the Dominican church on the main square of Vác. The crypt contained more than 200 coffins for the 18th century, and in them the remains of local citizens, which were mummified due to the special circumstances in the crypt. Most of the mummies, as well as the coffins, textiles, shoes and objects, are stored in the Museum of Natural History in Budapest, where conditions are right to preserve them. A very small number is exhibited in the Memento Mori exhibition on the Main Square in Vác. It really is a pity their number is so small (some four mummies, as well as thirty coffins and different kind of other objects), but nevertheless the exhibition is really unique and offers a fascinating view in the life of normal citizens in the 18th century.
Written April 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kpiddy
Brisbane, Australia12,126 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The Danube Bend town of Vac is a fabulous destination for a half day of sighseeing out of Budapest as we found. The town has so many interesting buildings and things to see and relax at a cafe by the Danube or maybe at the only patisserie in town as we did. From Budapest we caught an early morning train out of Budapest Nyagati station, it only takes about thirty minutes. From the station in Vac it is only a short walk to the main square, Marcus 15 square and this is where you will find the Memento Mori Exhibition which I highly recommend.
In 1994 when the Dominican Church, across the square, was being renovated a secret crypt underneath the church was discovered, inside they found 262 coffins with some very well preserved bodies inside due to the particular climate of the crypt.
We start the tour of the museum in a small side room which is free to enter, there we viewed and read information boards, for a fee of 1200 HUF we had access to the exhibition and a viewing of the coffins and mummies. For an extra fee of 500 HUF you can buy the right to take photographs. The exhibition is well described in Hungarian and English through a variety of media: written, photographs, video and objects (some are available to touch). The exhibition cover some of the history of Vac, life in the town over the years, once we were finished in this ground floor room we were taken to the entrance to the underground museum to view the colourful coffins and mummies.
Inside this underground museum are many interesting artifacts found in the heavily decorated coffins, there is also an attendant available to ask questions if required. Please note that inside the underground museum that it is cold and there is a steep staircase with a very low ceiling. This is an outstanding well organised museum.
In 1994 when the Dominican Church, across the square, was being renovated a secret crypt underneath the church was discovered, inside they found 262 coffins with some very well preserved bodies inside due to the particular climate of the crypt.
We start the tour of the museum in a small side room which is free to enter, there we viewed and read information boards, for a fee of 1200 HUF we had access to the exhibition and a viewing of the coffins and mummies. For an extra fee of 500 HUF you can buy the right to take photographs. The exhibition is well described in Hungarian and English through a variety of media: written, photographs, video and objects (some are available to touch). The exhibition cover some of the history of Vac, life in the town over the years, once we were finished in this ground floor room we were taken to the entrance to the underground museum to view the colourful coffins and mummies.
Inside this underground museum are many interesting artifacts found in the heavily decorated coffins, there is also an attendant available to ask questions if required. Please note that inside the underground museum that it is cold and there is a steep staircase with a very low ceiling. This is an outstanding well organised museum.
Written August 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Turkey_Baster
Sydney262 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
This was the highlight of our trip to Budapest, a day trip out to Vac. We went by train on a hot day. Train was easy to find and arrange, 30 minutes each way about. The plan was to walk around the old town, have a meal and catch the 6.30 ferry back to the city. Turned out to be too hot to hang around, so caught the train back early. Stumbled across this museum whilst searching for a way to get out of the heat. The staff didn't speak English, but were very accommodating. The museum is in 4 locations, so make sure you buy tickets for all. The main rooms upstairs were very interesting and have English information. The stuff they have displayed is amazing for something so old. Then they take you across the town square and down to the excavations and then they sent a boy across with a key to get underground in the square where you can see more excavations and a skeleton in-situ. Finally, down into the wine cellar beneath the museum to see the coffins and mummies. A little ghoulish, as some have said, but very interesting nevertheless.
Written August 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vác T
Vac, Hungary64 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
The sensation of the year 1995 was the finds in a secret crypt of the church. 200 years along was the entrance of the crypt walled up. During the renovation of the church the entrance had been demolished and several mummies had been found here.
A special climate of the crypt ensured the very good conditions of 262 coffins and the bodies as well. There is an exhibition Memento Mori in the cellar of the house at Március 15. tér 19. There can bee seen the mummies with the rich decorated palls, and the painted coffins. These founds are unique in Central Europe.
Adult:1000 HUF
Student/Pensioner 500 HUF
A special climate of the crypt ensured the very good conditions of 262 coffins and the bodies as well. There is an exhibition Memento Mori in the cellar of the house at Március 15. tér 19. There can bee seen the mummies with the rich decorated palls, and the painted coffins. These founds are unique in Central Europe.
Adult:1000 HUF
Student/Pensioner 500 HUF
Written March 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
majesty318
Rahway, NJ1,665 contributions
Oct 2019
Vac is easily reached from Budapest Nyugati station. Trains run frequently and range in time between 25 minutes and an hour, depending which route you take. Once arriving in Vac, it's about 10 minutes walking into the center where you will find the church, some ruins, and this fascinating little museum.
Note, they do not take credit cards. You can purchase a ticket for just the mummy museum, or for a combination of other sites in town, which is what I did. Upstairs from the crypt, there is a room with artifacts and information, everything in English as well. You must be accompanied by a guide into the crypt and I found it absolutely fascinating. I actually ended up with a private tour of the church crypt and the Pannonia House in addition to the museum. Not sure if this always happens or if it was just a slow day, but it was a pretty cool experience.
I spent about 2 hours on the private tour and then headed back to Budapest. I definitely think Vac is worth a half day visit, if only for this museum.
Note, they do not take credit cards. You can purchase a ticket for just the mummy museum, or for a combination of other sites in town, which is what I did. Upstairs from the crypt, there is a room with artifacts and information, everything in English as well. You must be accompanied by a guide into the crypt and I found it absolutely fascinating. I actually ended up with a private tour of the church crypt and the Pannonia House in addition to the museum. Not sure if this always happens or if it was just a slow day, but it was a pretty cool experience.
I spent about 2 hours on the private tour and then headed back to Budapest. I definitely think Vac is worth a half day visit, if only for this museum.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aino1234
Adelaide, Australia256 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This little museum is almost good enough by itself to warrant a daytrip from Budapest to Vac. It wasn't well signposted, and interestingly it did also not feature on the official Vac tourism website. The exhibits in the general area were well laid out and had good English language signage, although the staff spoke no English at all. The highlight was the church crypt underneath the museum where 262 coffins with mummified bodies were found, providing a snapshot into a specific time in history. Three mummies are on display. Almost more fascinating than the mummies themselves are the multiple coffins on display, together with detailed explanations. You can buy a pass for 500 HUF giving you permission to take photos.
Written June 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Avenue9
Singapore, Singapore54 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
We went around Vac before we finally found this museum. You will find a small collection on Vac history and a larger part is dedicated to the people who were found in crypt. Very interesting exhibition. The guide makes the whole tour more informative for us.
Written April 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beachednarwhal
Brisbane, Australia278 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
I'm sure the museum is very fascinating and I would have enjoyed it as I caught a glimpse of the crypt (also shut) from which the skeletons and artefacts were excavated however for the information of future travellers doing research to know, they close for around a week in mid January. I had the bad luck to turn up during this time exactly, and on a Sunday so the whole town was a ghost town. The tourist information simply pointed to maps when I asked for one without offering any other information. There were signs to say the Memento Mori tickets can be purchased at the museum, but everything being closed there must have been more doors shut, signage packed and obviously no people walking to or from the attraction making it hard to tell where the museum was. When I finally opened a closed set of large wooden doors and got confused by a direction sign that was misplaced to point to an alleyway (by turning in the exact opposite direction to the arrow on the sign I finally found the museum door), there was a small notice on the door saying the museum and attraction were shut on the date I was in town and for a week after). I understand these things happen during travel especially in low season and would recommend future travellers coming in low season to ask a local in Budapest for advice before coming. I attended a Couchsurfing meeting the day after in Budapest and several different locals all said they would not have recommended travel during January to Vac as it is extremely low season and much is closed.
Written January 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve D
Newbridge, null, United Kingdom33 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
Vac is a 40 minute train ride from Budapest.
The crypt is adjacent to a small one room museum housing finds such as rosaries and jewellery. You buy your ticket from the museum and the friendly attendant (non-English speaking) will lead you to the crypt.
There is an English language guide of a couple of pages.
The crypt has three bodies on display and a number of beautifully painted and colourful coffins.
I didn't find it at all morbid but fascinating and strangely beautiful.
The crypt is adjacent to a small one room museum housing finds such as rosaries and jewellery. You buy your ticket from the museum and the friendly attendant (non-English speaking) will lead you to the crypt.
There is an English language guide of a couple of pages.
The crypt has three bodies on display and a number of beautifully painted and colourful coffins.
I didn't find it at all morbid but fascinating and strangely beautiful.
Written December 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition (Vac) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition
- Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition is open:
- Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- We recommend booking Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition:
- (0.08 mi) Lujza & Koriander
- (0.06 mi) Bellevue Vendeghaz
- (0.19 mi) Vatus Apartmanhaz Vac
- (0.19 mi) Alt Taban Panzio
- (0.28 mi) Althann Vendeghaz Es Konferencia Kozpont
- Restaurants near Tragor Ignác Museum - Memento Mori Exhibition:
- (0.00 mi) Farm Burger Vác
- (0.09 mi) Vacz Remete Pince
- (0.06 mi) Revkapu Kisvendeglo
- (0.07 mi) Choco Cafe Chocolaterie
- (0.05 mi) Magora Vegan Restaurant