Székely National Museum

Székely National Museum – A Cultural Treasure of Covasna

The Székely National Museum opened its doors in 1875, making it one of the oldest museum institutions in Transylvania. Located at Kós Károly Street No. 10 in Sfântu Gheorghe, the museum operates as a complex cultural center, featuring four internal and five external sections, each dedicated to preserving and promoting Székely heritage. The main building, with its sober and functional architecture, houses collections of inestimable value, reflecting the history, nature, and local traditions of the region.

Diverse Heritage and Remarkable Collections

The Natural Sciences section impresses with its diversity, comprising over 60,000 exhibits. It includes one of the most important paleontological collections in Central and Eastern Europe, featuring Pliocene and Quaternary mammal fossils, as well as an impressive array of fungi and butterflies, including the famous "Dioszeghy" collection with over 23,000 specimens. The Archaeology and History section gathers more than 50,000 pieces, illustrating the cultural evolution of the region over a span of 35,000 years. Notable exhibits include medieval relics, documents from the 1848 Revolution, and valuable furniture and glassware.

The museum’s library manages rare collections, among which the Apor Codex stands out—a manuscript containing psalms from the first Hungarian translation of the Bible. The Ethnography section completes the cultural picture with over 15,000 objects, including princely embroideries from the 17th and 18th centuries, decorative tiles, traditional ceramics, and carved or painted furniture, reflecting the crafts and life of the Székely communities.

Extensions and Visitor Access

In addition to its internal sections, the museum coordinates five external units: the "Gyarfas Jena" Art Gallery in Sfântu Gheorghe, the Guilds Museum in Târgu Secuiesc, the "Haszmann Pál" Museum in Cernat, the Baraolt Depression Museum, and the Csángó Ethnographic Museum in Zabala. These complement the cultural offering, providing a broad perspective on the material and intangible heritage of the region.

The museum is open to the public year-round, with a schedule adapted to the season. Visitors can explore permanent and temporary exhibitions, participate in cultural events, or engage in educational activities. Access is convenient, as the main building is located in the city center, just minutes away from Covasna’s main tourist attractions.