The Hunting Museum includes a unique collection of trophies donated by Hungarian hunters from expeditions in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
The Coach Museum houses the original carriages of the Festetics family, including custom-made designs for travel and state functions.
The collection features rare examples of 'hunting carriages' specifically designed to transport sportsmen and their equipment into the field.
The museum building is located within the original service courtyards of the historic Festetics Palace complex.
The taxidermy collection is arranged to reflect the geographical origins of the animals, highlighting biodiversity alongside hunting heritage.
The Hunting Museum and Coach Museum are integral components of the Helikon Castle Museum complex located in Keszthely, Hungary. The Hunting Museum displays a vast collection of taxidermy from five continents, focusing on big game hunting trophies and historical weaponry. The Coach Museum, housed in a separate structure, features an extensive collection of 18th and 19th-century horse-drawn carriages and sleighs. These exhibits are situated within the historic Festetics Palace estate grounds. Visitors can observe rare specimens, including an African elephant and diverse antler collections. The carriage exhibition showcases the evolution of aristocratic transport, including luxury coaches used by the Hungarian nobility. The site preserves the legacy of the Festetics family, who were prominent landowners in the region for centuries. The collection represents one of the most significant ethnographic and transport-related archives in Hungary.
The central courtyard between the two museum buildings featuring historic exterior architecture.
Purchase a combination ticket to access the main Festetics Palace interior as well as the specialized museum buildings.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the museums are located in separate buildings across the expansive palace grounds.
Attempting to visit the entire estate including the main palace and gardens in under three hours.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season; check the official Helikon Kastely website for seasonal variations.
Maintain a quiet volume; touching artifacts or taxidermy is strictly prohibited.
