The show will present more than 400 artefacts from 64 museums across 13 countries, making it the largest Huns-themed exhibition staged in Europe in recent decades.

Attila has left a deep imprint on European cultural memory, and this exhibition looks beyond myth to examine how his image has evolved over the centuries. While modern scholarship treats the direct link between Attila and today’s Hungarians cautiously, centuries of legend and storytelling have made him an enduring figure in Hungarian historical thinking.

One of the centrepieces is a monumental painting, The Meeting of Pope Leo the Great and Attila at the Walls of Rome, by Hungarian artist Antal Haan. Based on a Renaissance work once created for the Vatican, the painting has not been publicly displayed for more than a century and has recently been restored for this exhibition.

The show is organised around two key narratives: one grounded in academic research from archaeology and history, and the other exploring the rich and varied mythology that has grown up around Attila’s life and rule. Curators say the contrast between historical evidence and folklore is part of what makes the topic so compelling.

Objects on display will range from archaeological finds and fine art to cultural items that reflect Attila’s enduring legacy across Europe and Asia. Prestigious lenders include institutions such as the British Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the National Museum of Baku.

Running from 23 January to 12 July 2026, the exhibition will be accompanied by a broad programme of talks, family activities, panel discussions, film screenings, and music performances.

Visitors can also purchase high-quality reconstructions of jewellery and costume elements inspired by the exhibition.

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Hungarian National Museum
1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 14-16.