The names István Kövesi and Dr. Sándor Petró are unlikely to ring a bell for most people. Yet these two men, working independently in the same era, began collecting art from entirely different backgrounds and motivations. They could not have known how long their historical moment would last, what fate awaited their collections, or that decades later their works would become central to a museum development funded by the European Union. History took an unexpected turn: artworks once passionately collected during the socialist period are now accessible to the public thanks to support from the very European Union that would have been unimaginable at the time.
A new chapter for the Herman Ottó Museum in Miskolc began with a major expansion of one of the city’s most important cultural institutions. Beyond architectural renewal, the project created a new, experience-driven attraction that brings the city’s history, art, and identity closer to visitors.
Initiated by the Municipality of Miskolc, the investment aimed to build on local, cultural and natural assets to boost tourism and enrich the visitor experience. At the heart of the city, a modern, visitor-friendly cultural space was created within the museum.
The new wing houses a two-level exhibition area showcasing the museum’s most valuable collections. On the ground floor, visitors encounter a striking gallery of outstanding works of Hungarian fine art, while upstairs an interactive exhibition presents the history of Miskolc.
One of the most compelling exhibitions, titled “The Private and the Public,” features the collections of Kövesi and Petró. Its unique concept lies in pairing artworks—often by the same artist—allowing visitors to compare different periods or themes side by side.
István Kövesi’s story is particularly fascinating. A butcher from Budapest, he built his remarkable collection in the 1960s and 1970s, largely in secrecy. The 115-piece collection only became public decades later, when it was acquired by the Hungarian National Bank and placed on long-term loan with the Miskolc museum.
Dr. Sándor Petró, by contrast, was far more open. A physician from Miskolc, he assembled a collection spanning several centuries of Hungarian fine art during the socialist era and regularly lent works for exhibitions. Pieces from his collection were already featured in local shows during his lifetime.
Another highlight is the exhibition “Miskolc in the Old Days,” which invites visitors on a journey back in time. Through paintings and documents, it evokes the atmosphere of the city between the two World Wars, offering a vivid sense of strolling through the streets of old Miskolc.
The project also included the creation of a restoration workshop, upgrades to visitor areas, and the addition of a gift shop, café, and comfortable relaxation spaces. The museum thus fulfills its ambition of serving not only as an exhibition venue but also as a vibrant cultural meeting place.
With its renewed attractions, the Herman Ottó Museum offers the experience of a cultural treasure chest—where the city’s rich past and dynamic present meet art in a unique, almost playful interplay of time and society, leaving visitors inspired and thoughtfully engaged.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project TOP-6.1.4-15-MI1-2016-00003 under the Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
