Museum of Ethnography, Brasov

Museum of Ethnography, Brasov

The Museum of Ethnography in Brasov is a prominent cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the ethnological heritage of South-Eastern Transylvania. Located as an annex to the Art Museum, access is provided through the rightmost part of the building. The museum's collection, comprising over 13,600 objects dating from the 17th to the 20th century, reflects the rural communities' civilization in areas like Bran, Rupea, Fagarașului, and Barsei lands.

Functioning under the administrative umbrella of the Brasov County Museum, the Museum of Ethnography operates in three localities: Brasov, Sacele, and Rupea. Its central pavilion in Brasov hosts a substantial permanent exhibition focusing on the craft of weaving—integral to all the represented ethnographic regions. This exhibition delves into the functional applications of weaving in both interior organization and folk costume, using authentic tools, technologies, and products to recreate a vivid rural setting with a strong educational emphasis.

The origins of the museum date back to 1908 when it was established by five Saxon collectors from Brasov, including founder Iulius Teutsch. It evolved into the Saxon Museum in 1912, transferring some collections to the University of Brasov and the Regional Museum Brasov after World War II. The Ethnography Section became an independent legal entity in 1990.

Notable within the museum's vast array of items are ceramics, glassware, folk wear, textiles, painted eggs, and icons on various materials. Highlighted exhibitions include "Textile Heritage" and "Memory of Textile Fibers. From Manual Knitting to Mechanical Knitting," focusing on the evolution of textile materials, techniques, and fashions in rural and urban settings. A key feature is a functional early 20th-century Jacquard mechanical loom, symbolizing the technological advancements in textile manufacturing.

Situated in a multifunctional building constructed in 1902 and restored in 1979, which has served various roles from a dance hall to a printing house, the Museum of Ethnography stands as a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of Transylvania, offering insights into both the traditional and evolving lifestyles of its people.

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Museum of Ethnography on Map

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30 m
100 ft
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sight Name: Museum of Ethnography
Sight Location: Brasov, Romania (See walking tours in Brasov)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Brasov, Romania

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