Historical Panopticon
Introduction
The Historical Panopticon is Hungary's largest panopticon, located in the center of Keszthely, in a cellar system under the pedestrian street. The exhibition features more than 50 historical figures from Hungary – kings, princes, military commanders, poets, and writers – are presented in lifelike wax sculptures, dressed in period costumes and surrounded by period settings. The exhibition spans 1,500 years, from Attila to József Mindszenty, with the Transylvanian princes, the 1848 revolution, and the figures of the Rákóczi War of Independence featured on a separate podium.
The exhibition also includes a special collection: 120 porcelain dolls dressed in the traditional costumes of the nobility and clergy, based on the work of folk artist Éva Zorkóczy. The museum aims to entertain historical knowledge in an entertaining way, making it an ideal supplement to the curriculum for school groups.
Location & Accessibility
The Historical Panopticon is located at 11 Kossuth Lajos Street in Keszthely. The museum is located on a busy section of the pedestrian street and is easily accessible on foot. For those arriving by car, parking is available in the surrounding streets. The train station and bus stop are about a 5-10 minute walk away.
