Rákóczi Museum

Rakoczi Museum – Tekirdağ

Rakoczi’s War of Independence (1703–1711)

The Hungarian Prince II. Francis (Ferenc) Rakoczi lived in a house at No. 32 Barbaros Street, Ertuğrul Quarter, Tekirdağ for 15 years (1720–1735). This residence was later purchased by the Hungarian Government in 1932 and converted into a museum.

The Rakoczi family was among the wealthiest landowners in Hungary at the beginning of the 17th century, and three family members ascended the throne of Transylvania under Ottoman protection. Born in 1676, Ferenc Rakoczi led the Hungarian uprising against Austrian rule, becoming Prince of Transylvania in 1704 and later declared sovereign in 1705. However, his struggle for independence ended in failure against the Austrian occupation.

After spending time in Poland and France, Rakoczi sought refuge in the Ottoman Empire in 1717. Sultan Ahmed III provided him with a house in Tekirdağ, where he lived in safety until his death in 1735.

Rakoczi’s Residence in Tekirdağ

Rakoczi and his followers originally lived in 24 houses close to each other in Tekirdağ. Over time, these homes were joined together to form a large mansion complex. Today, the only surviving section is the dining hall.

After his death, there were plans to build a Rakoczi Museum in Hungary, and for that purpose, the decorations, interior furnishings, and even Rakoczi’s ashes were taken back to Hungary. However, due to the First and Second World Wars, the museum project in Hungary could not be realized.

As a result, in 1931–1932, the Hungarian Government restored the Tekirdağ residence through the work of a Hungarian architect and converted it into a museum. Later, during the 1981–1982 restoration, replicas of the dining hall reliefs—previously removed—were prepared and placed back in their original positions.

At the entrance of the museum, inscriptions in Turkish and Hungarian explain the purpose of the restoration.

Exhibits and Collections

Inside the Rakoczi Museum, visitors can explore:

· A large oil painting of Prince Rakoczi in the entrance hall

· Objects and belongings used during his lifetime

· Documents relating to his exile and leadership

· On the upper floor, oil paintings of Rakoczi’s comrades who fought with him in Hungary’s War of Independence

Cultural Importance

The Rakoczi Museum is considered both a symbol of Turkish-Hungarian friendship and a rare surviving example of a traditional Ottoman-era Tekirdağ house.

Notable Quote

"My aim is to bring my country back to full happiness in the shortest possible time." – Ferenc Rakoczi

✨ Visiting the Rakoczi Museum in Tekirdağ offers both a journey into 18th-century Hungarian history and an architectural glimpse into Ottoman-era domestic life.