The Museum at Csorna

My friend Chris asked yesterday if my jet lag was getting better; she noticed that each day I was posting a little bit later than the day before!  It is true!  The first two mornings that I was home, I woke up during the middle of the night and could not go back to sleep.  The third morning was better; I still woke up early but a little later than before, and yesterday, I finally felt like I was fully adjusted back to my normal time zone.

Today I am going to take you to the city of Csorna; it's about 23 kilometers (30 minute drive) from Hövej.  My friend Elisabeth wanted me to visit the museum in Csorna for two reasons: 1) it would provide me with some insight into what life was like in this area during the time my great-grandfather lived here and 2) there were some beautiful embroidery pieces on display at the museum.  I'm not one to turn down an opportunity, so off we went!

The museum is housed in the building which belongs to the monks of Norbertine Abbey.  Sadly, I did not remember to take a picture of the building, but you can google it if you are interested.  The abbey was founded in Csorna in 1180.  In 1950 the communists took over the monastery; after the fall of communism, the monks returned.  There is a school on the site, and of course, this museum occupies a small part of the complex.

There were many, many interesting things in the museum - I'm only going to share a few things that I enjoyed seeing and that I think might be interesting to you.

One of the first things we saw was this framed piece of Hövej embroidery - beautiful (and very old.)

There was a display depicting "ordinary people" they would have typically been farmers, from the 1850 or so timeframe,  Here they are in their folk costumes. (I am partial to the blue dress displayed.  This fabric is very popular in Burgenland, Austria and in this part of Hungary.  It's called "Indigo Printing" - you can read more about it here if you are interested.)

Another traditional costume and trunks filled with embroidered linens, clothing, etc.  The trunks were passed on within families.  Etched in the lid of the trunks were important dates to the family (birth dates, weddings, etc.)

There were many old pieces of furniture in the museum, each was beautiful painted:

This was an example of the tailor shop at this time in history.  I had to take this photo, because my great-grandfather was a tailor!  (Maybe this explains my interest in needlework?)

And of course, the blue fabric again:

Look at the embroidery on these scarfs which would be worn when dressed in folk costume.  There are also some head pieces in the first photo:

This particular piece is done with Hövej embroidery:

This one too:

There were many interesting things at the museum!  I hope you will come back tomorrow.  I have a special treat for you.