The history of this museum begins with the so-called Raritatvm Et Rervm Natvralivm Mvsevm which was founded in 1796 in Alba Iulie, at the Bethlen Academic Collegium, later moved to Aiud. The historical exhibits and rarities were at the beginning placed in the House of Collections together with other natural science exhibits and so on, in a special section. Over the years the collection further grew and enriched, being completed with a coin collection, with in 1822 already had over 500 pieces, mainly gold and silver coins. It was in 1862 that P. Szathmary Karoly decided to begin a real collection, at first dedicated solely to antique objects. The first sellection accounted for about 100 objects of stone and bronze, mainly Roman. By the end of the 19th century the collection was enriched due to several donations. One of the most important colaborators was Fenichel Samuel, who later worked with Grigore Tocilescu for the Antiquities Museum in Bucharest and was the first to travel to New Guinea, from where he brought a few dozens artefacts. At the beginning of the next century there were already more than 3500 coins and medals in the museum and in 1918, according to the catalogue, there were around 11.000 different exhibits, ranging from coins to antique objects.
The History Museum in Aiud officially opened in 1950 and was one of the best in the region from the beginning, due to the efforts of historians, archaeologists, researchers and curators. Several archaeological diggins were made in the area, and the collection further enriched, so nowadays it has more than 30.000 items, mostly antiques and Middle Age artefacts. Hosted by an impressive palace, part of the old medieval complex also known as the Aiud Castle, it is one of the most popular tourist objectives, as it presents in detail the antique and medieval history of Aiud and it's surroundings.
In the exhibition halls there are hundreds of pieces presented in the permanent shows. Downstairs visitors can discover the history of the region in prehistoric times, until the age when Burebista founded the first state. From weapons and tools to primitive art and further to the Bronze and Iron Age, there are some rare and highly interesting exhibits, including those who present foreign influences. The best part is the section dedicated to the art, culture and way of life of the old Dacians, where you will find Greek ceramics, silver Dacian coins, jewelery. On the first floor there is the presentation of the antique to the medieval period, ranging from ceramics, tools, weapons to sculptures, weapons of all kinds, armours and so on. In the modern and contemporary part of the show, although much smaller, several impressive artefacts can be admired, focusing mostly on military apparell. There is also the small collection of objects brought from New Guinea.
In the temporary exhibition halls there are often hosted interesting events, organised by the museum and other art and history museums all over the country and even foreign ones.
The History Museum in Aiud is surely one of the best tourist attractions in the city and one of the most appreciated cultural landmarks of the region, due to the variety and value of the exhibits presented here.
2008-04-14
