Mihály Munkácsy Hungarian House

Visit the Mihály Munkácsy Hungarian House, located in an impressive former bank palace reflecting the stylistic features of Historicism and Art Nouveau, in the heart of the city on the banks of the Latorca River.

Exhibition Hall of the Munkácsy Mihály Hungarian House

About the Building

The History of Its Creation

At the beginning of the 20th century, plans were initiated in the city of Mukachevo, situated on the banks of the Latorica River, to establish a branch of the imperial central Austro-Hungarian Bank. For this purpose, a double plot of land belonging to the Greek Catholic Church was purchased for 31,000 crowns. The plot was located next to the building of the Mukachevo District Court. The design of the building was most likely entrusted to József Hubert, an architect of the Austro-Hungarian Bank. The Mukachevo City Council issued the construction permit in February 1911, and construction began in early March. The building was completed in 1912. This impressive bank palace, bearing the stylistic features of historicist and Art Nouveau architecture, became one of the city’s emblematic buildings. The first appointed director of the branch was Alfonz Rigó.

Following the Treaty of Trianon, the building housed the Mukachevo branch of the Czechoslovak National Bank. After the Second Vienna Award and the return of Transcarpathia, the building became home to the Mukachevo branch of the Hungarian National Bank. On December 24, 1944, the local Soviet authorities nationalized the building and continued to operate it as the Mukachevo branch of the State Bank of the Soviet Union. A few years after Ukraine declared its independence on August 24, 1991, the building became the premises of the Mukachevo branch of Prominvest Bank.

Az épületről

Reconstruction

In 2016, in line with the Hungarian Government’s decision on establishing Hungarian Houses in Transcarpathia, the building was purchased to house the Munkácsy Mihály Hungarian House, providing a venue for cultural, artistic, and community events for both the Hungarian and Ukrainian communities.

On June 3, 2021, the Munkácsy Mihály Hungarian House officially opened its doors in a ceremonial event.

The cultural center proudly bears the name of the world-renowned Hungarian painter Mihály Munkácsy, a native of the city of Mukachevo. In honor of his life and work, the ceremonial hall is decorated with reproductions of the artist’s paintings, while a photographic series displayed along the stairwell walls highlights key moments and events from his life. Opposite the main entrance of the building, a bust also commemorates Mihály Munkácsy.

Our Departments

On the ground floor, the building houses the Mukachevo branch of OTP Bank, as well as office spaces rented by various companies and organizations. The upper floor features a ceremonial hall with a capacity of 200 people, equipped with professional sound and lighting systems, serving as a venue for theatrical and musical performances, book launches, and other cultural, artistic, and community events. Also located on this floor is the small banking history museum of the Munkácsy Mihály Hungarian House, where visitors can view original safes preserved from the building’s financial past, as well as a permanent exhibition of coins and banknotes issued during the Soviet era.

Exhibition Hall

The historic building’s attic houses a high-standard gallery in the center of Mukachevo, whose monthly rotating fine art exhibitions consistently attract great interest. Also on this floor, two spacious and fully equipped apartments provide comfortable accommodation for guests staying at the house. The cultural center’s inner courtyard offers a suitable and elegant setting for outdoor events.