The readily available, pliable filamentary materials found in nature have been used by primitive craftsmen and women from a very ancient time. The experience of growing a new plant from the seed sown in fertile soil – that is growing crops – first became a valuable knowledge of neolite man in 7000 B.C living in the Meddle-East. Since the outcome used to be rather unforeseeable, it is easy to understand why people worshipped their goddess of corn (Isis in Egypt, Demeter in Greece, Ceres in Rome) with such great reverence. They made a “doll” from the last sheaf in order to preserve life. Till the invention of the plough (appearing in Egypt about 3000 B.C. ) women cultivated earth, so it is no wonder that these dolls resembled female figures.
Wheat has always been called “life” by Hungarian farmers, as their well-being greatly depended on it. Apart from the seeds of the crops (wheat, barley, oat, rye, rice, alacor or triticale) its straw, that is, the hollow stem was also used, mainly for every day purpose: laid under animals, bedded clamps, covered roofs with it. Children twisted simple dolls, formed rings while tending animals in the fields. The softness, pliability, velvety shine of straw was used in Japan to make tatami rugs, in France they sewed so called envelopes for transporting wine-bottles or cheese and in many other places dishes for storing eggs, seeds or bread were made from it. Over the centuries besides the primary use of straw its decorative texture was also discovered. Plaits and ornamental objects were made for the hat industry in England and Switzerland. Playful and creative men have enriched the use of straw with numerous new ideas, who twisted, interlaced, rolled, tied, flattened, plaited straw – in order to create jewellery, toys, decorations, objects of beauty and even pictures.
The common base of this unique private collection – the property of Ms Tünde Tüskés – is the material the displayed objects are all made from: straw. The exhibition invites visitors for a trip of discovery: we can see some 600 objects originating from around 36 countries of the world. By looking at them we may admire on their makers’ skill, creativity, and artistic talent.
The collection reveals a nearly forgotten slice of cultural, historical and anthropological heritage of the world. The material on display is a source of an exciting journey through the past and present, work and art, the national and universal experience of mankind and we can witness its intention to form unity between form and function, mastership and art.
We sincerely hope that you will enjoy this journey!
Come and spend a lovely day in this beautiful village at the foot of Zengő, the highest peak of Mecsek mountain. Enjoy the hospitality of its people and buy some unique gifts in the Straw Treasury Museum!
Opening hours/Öffnungszeiten:
15th March – 31st October / 15. März – 31. Oktober
daily 10 am. – 6 pm. / täglich 10:00 – 18:00
1st.November – 14th March / 1. November – 14. März.:
daily 10 am. – 3 pm. / täglich 10:00 – 15:00
Closed on Wednesdays. / Mittwoch geschlossen.
Ticket prices / Eintrittspreise
Adult / Erwachsene: 700 Ft
Children under the age of 6 / Kinder unter 6 Jahre: FREE / FREI
Children under the age of 14 / Kinder unter 14 Jahre: 400 Ft
Family ticket (2 adults and their children or grandchildren under the age of 14)
/ Familienticket (2 Erwachsene und ihre Kinder oder Enkelkinder unter 14
Jahre): 1800 Ft
Prices are in HUF incl. VAT. / Die Preise verstehen sich inkl. MWSt. in HUF.
Payment methods / Zahlungsarten: Cash only / Bargeld
Discounts / Ermässigungen:
Group discount / Gruppenrabatte:
Groups of 15 paying visitors are given 1 free entry
Für Gruppen ab 15 zahlenden Personen hat ein Gruppenbegleiter frei