Georgikon Manor Museum

Discover the Everyday Life of the Former Manor

The History of the Manor

Georgikon, founded by Count György Festetics in 1797 in Keszthely, was Europe’s first independent agricultural higher education school. The institution was provided with the conditions for farming and practical education by the manor, and today the former buildings located on the two-hectare estate are the sites of exhibitions. The museum was ceremonially opened on the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Georgikon in 1972.

Sights

You can get a glimpse into the life of the servants in the granary building and study the viticulture and winemaking culture of the Balaton-highland, follow the development of agrarian education in Keszthely and see the tools used for grain cleaning, storage and measurement, as well as crop cultivation. The former stable building houses an exhibition presenting the history of animal husbandry. We can also see the equipment of the former blacksmith, cooper and wheelwright workshops. Valuable pieces of the museum are the machines used in former agricultural work.

“The exhibitions of the agricultural museum are very rich in exhibition material. Several individual activities and crafts are presented.
The whole museum is very special in terms of its layout, as the agricultural buildings have been furnished.
It is also a good relaxation option for families, as a huge playground and petting zoo have been set up.”

István FodorLocal guide

Our favoriteOne of the most exciting exhibits of the museum is the original, still functioning Fowler steam engine, which is usually started up on special occasions and engine meetings.

For Children

If we arrive with a child, we should not be afraid that the youngest will be bored, as a safe environment and child-friendly services await them as well. The exhibition site was awarded the title of Family-Friendly Museum in 2021! The museum’s two-hectare area can also be used as a playground.

HintThe play barn may be interesting for today's children, since peasant children used to lounge in the soft straw, play hide and seek. Now there is the possibility to experience this carefree game with the help of the climbing ropes, hanging bars and climbing walls placed in the barn.

Those who grow up in a multi-storey house may never have met a wheelbarrow or a hoe, while pushing each other on the farm tools used to be a great fun in the past. It is worth trying these in the major too!

Programs at the Manor

The museum offer is enriched by numerous events from spring to autumn. Easter picnic, Children’s Day, Museum Night, programs of Cultural Heritage Days await the interested ones, the year in the Manor closes with the Martin’s Day Autumn Farewell. In addition to the larger events, there are regular museum pedagogical activities, which cover a wide range. Participants can get to know beekeeping, methods of keeping domestic animals, the living world of the experience economy, and take part in pentathlon in the Manor. The Manor physical education is very popular, where students can learn about the games of old times, the excitement of tug of war, and learn to work in teams.
An interesting factDo you want to know more about the past of Keszthely? Then the book KESZTHELYI TÖRTÉNETEK was written for you, get it in the Tourinform office on the walking street!

Approach

The major museum is close to the city center and the Festetics Castle, those arriving by car can park for free on the museum grounds, and there is also a bicycle storage available for those arriving on two wheels.