On 22 January 2026, the Hungarian National Museum will open Attila, the most significant exhibition on the subject in Hungary in the past forty years, and a landmark international showcase in its own right. 400 masterpieces from 64 museums across 13 countries evoking Attila, king of the Huns, at the Hungarian National Museum
The exhibition explores the relationship between the myth and the historical reality surrounding Attila, drawing on perspectives from archaeology, historiography, the arts, anthropology, archaeogenetics, and contemporary cultural reflections. It also offers a unique bridge between the enduring memories of the legendary Hun leader in both Eastern and Western cultural traditions.
Set within the museum’s exhibition spaces, the temporary exhibition brings to life 1,600 years of images and myths of Attila through the presentation of some 400 artefacts from the Hun period to the present day.
As they move through the thematic sections, visitors will gain insight into the world of the Hun period and the self-representation of the elite in the closest circles of Attila, while tracing the rich and varied reception history of the treasures and theories associated with his memory.
A truly extraordinary corpus of objects will be on display, offering an unprecedented experience for Hungarian audiences. The exhibited works originate from 64 major museums in 13 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. Among the highlights are exceptional pieces on loan from some of the world’s leading institutions, including the British Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the National Museum in Baku.
Ritual offering
Silver, bronze, gold, semi-precious stones
(silver bowl diameter: 54.4 cm; inlaid bowl diameter: 28 cm; mirror’s diameter: 15 cm; mounts and appliqués: 1.3–7.25 cm; lion-shaped sheet fragment: 5.7 × 4.7 cm; sheet silver fragment: 6.9 × 3.1 cm)
Rülzheim, Germany, second third of the 5th century Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, Speyer
(Inv. no. E2014//0100.001–0023, E 2014/0100.0030, photo by P. Haag-Kirchner)
Half-Armour associated with count Miklós Pálffy, once consideredto be the armour of Attila
Hammered steel, copper, leather
Around 1620
HNM-Public Collection Center, Hungarian
National Museum,Weapons Collection, Budapest
8transfervfrom the Imperial Armoury of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna in 1932)
Drinking cup with a bull’s head-shaped handle from the Nagyszentmiklós treasure - copy
Gold (height: 10.6 cm, length: 12.2 cm, weight: 283 g) I 8–9th century
Kunsthistorisches Museum Antikensammlung, Wien (Inv. No. VIIb 10)
Jug No. 2 from with a narrative frieze from the Nagyszentmiklós treasure - copy
Gold (height: 25 cm) Around 700
Kunsthistorisches Museum Antikensammlung, Wien (Inv. No. VIIIb 33)
Giovanni Bonazza: The Hun King Attila I Limestone
(86 × 48 cm) I Around 1700 I Rovigo, Palazzo Roncale – Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio
di Padova e Rovigo (Inv. no. 190)
Alongside the exhibition, which will be open from 23 January to 12 July 2026, visitors can enjoy a diverse programme of accompanying events: an international conference, scholarly lectures, heritage-inspired family and children’s programmes, round-table discussions, museum education activities for all ages, craft workshops, book launches, film screenings, and live music.
Visitors may also take home a piece of the experience: in the Hungarian National Museum’s shop, they will find high-quality reconstructions of the most beautiful jewelleries and costume accessories featured in the Attila exhibition, including bracelets, rings, earrings, cicada brooches, and belt buckles.
Gold cups with decorative mounts
from the Szilágysomlyó (Şimleu Silvaniei
Treasure Şimleu Silvaniei, Romania
Second third of the 5th century
THE ‘Sabre of charlemange'
(known in Hungary as ’Attila’s Sword’)
Replica made by Nándor Fettich, archaeologist andgoldsmith,
after the original 10–11th-century sabrekept in Vienna
An electrum cup, originally with glass inlay.
Based on the Greek inscription on its base, it was identified earlier as ‘Attila’s poison cup’ Cast electrum
(diameter: 11.1 cm, height: 9.4 cm) I
Szeged-Nagyszéksós, Hungary, first half of the 5th century
HNM-Public Collection Centre, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest
(Inv. no.81.1.1)
Cauldron
Cast copper (height: 60 cm) I Balatonlelle-Rádpuszta, Hungary,
first half of the 5th century I Rippl-Rónai
Museum, Kaposvár (Inv. no. 13.9/609.1., photo by András A. Király
