Agria 38. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2002)

Petercsák Tivadar: Múzeum és várkultusz

Tivadar Petercsák The Museum and the Castle Cult The nurturing of the cult of the castle plays a key role in the life of the István Dobó Castle Museum. The museum, whose origins go back to the beginning of the 20

th century, has been situated in the castle for almost half a century. The Eger Castle Museum, which came into existence in the decades between the two world wars, and the collection of the Municipal Museum formed the basis of the municipal and county museum which was from 1951 known as the István Dobó Museum. It was renamed the István Dobó Castle Museum in 1958. On moving to the castle in 1958 the museum became responsible for both the running and upkeep of the site. Along with the Országos Műemlékvédelmi Felügyelőség /OMF/ (The National Inspectorate for the Conservation of Ancient Monuments) the museum began to take great interest in the restoration of the castle both in the interests of archaeological research and for the good of the museum's exhibition potential. It also holds the archaeological, historical, art historical and literary collections, as well as objects, documents and representations relating to the castle, the medieval episcopate and the everyday life of the border fortress. As well being the custodians of such objects the museum provides the necessary environment for those wishing to see what is available and to do research. The museum puts on both permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as academic conferences. It publishes materials of both academic and tourist interest and is responsible for making the sites relating to the 1552 siege, and Heroes' Hall, available to the general public. The museum also puts on an historic festival which attempts to recreate the atmosphere of the period when Eger Castle was a border fortress, whilst satisfying both children's and adults' interest in the site. 356