The exhibition Zalaegerszeg, the Market Town presents the first historical chapter of The Life of Our Ancestors, covering the period from the founding of the town to the arrival of the Ottomans.
It is here that visitors first meet Mihály Egerszegi and his wife, Boriska, who guide guests throughout the entire exhibition and offer insight into the everyday lives of ordinary people across different historical periods. Having settled on the ridge between the marshes of the Zala River and the Válicka Stream, they first introduce themselves as serfs living in the medieval market town.
From the Founding of the Settlement to a Market Town
Zalaegerszeg, first mentioned in a charter issued by the Chapter of Veszprém in 1247 as “Egurscug”, was a small medieval settlement with only a few hundred inhabitants. Its landlords changed several times until it became the permanent property of the Bishop of Veszprém in the late 14th century. Its residents – legally classified as serfs – were primarily engaged in agriculture and viticulture, while only a small number practised skilled trades such as butchery, milling, tailoring, and blacksmithing.
During the 15th century, Zalaegerszeg acquired the status of a market town, which granted important privileges to its inhabitants. They were allowed to elect their own judge and council to administer the town and paid their taxes to the landlord in a single annual sum. Over time, the settlement developed into a regional trading centre and received market rights, allowing it to hold several annual fairs in addition to its weekly market. The marketplace became an important venue for community life, where people from the town and surrounding regions met, traded, and exchanged ideas.
With the exception of religious holidays and Sundays, the daily lives of market-town serfs were dominated by hard work. Only the long winter months offered opportunities for games and leisure. Following the arrival of the Ottomans, part of the population fled, while others became border fortress soldiers or continued their increasingly dangerous agricultural way of life.
Objects on Display
Key
Many people do not realise that keys were already in use during the Middle Ages. This simple iron artefact most likely once opened a door lock. Archaeologists frequently discover keys without locks, or locks without keys, but finding both together is considered quite rare.
(object description: Zoltán Orha)
Mace
A crushing weapon with a short handle ending in a solid metal head. It was used in close combat to break through helmets and plate armour. The displayed example was unearthed during excavations at Lenti Castle in 1978. It is the oldest artefact discovered at the site and provided evidence of the castle’s Árpád-era origins.
(object description: Zoltán Orha)
Viennese Pot
A special imported luxury item from the West, named after its place of manufacture. Such vessels are rare finds in archaeological excavations. These distinctive grey pots feature a cross-shaped maker’s mark on the rim, derived from the city’s coat of arms. The cross symbol is still present in Vienna’s coat of arms today.
(object description: Zoltán Orha)
Pewter Flask
A rectangular pewter vessel used for storing wine, with scratches from everyday use still visible on its surface. The flask was kept in a wooden case lined with leather and divided into six compartments. During this period, such containers were typically used by nobles and townspeople while travelling. This example was discovered near Hahót in 1992.
(object description: Zoltán Orha)
Wine Bottle for a Travelling Case
A rectangular blown-glass bottle used for storing wine. It served the same purpose as the pewter flask. The wooden case used to carry such bottles was traditionally called a pincetok (wine case). This bottle was found during excavations at the Batthyány Castle in Zalaszentgrót in 1974.
(object description: Zoltán Orha)
Our Curator’s Favourite: Processional Cross (Early 14th Century, Reconstruction)
The processional cross was discovered in fragmentary condition during the excavation of Zalaegerszeg’s Gothic cemetery chapel in 1976. The crucifix was used during religious processions held on major feast days.
The wooden cross was decorated with pressed copper plates. At its centre is a haloed depiction of Christ, while the right arm of the cross features Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist. He points toward Christ with his right hand and holds a scroll in his left. The cross is the earliest known liturgical object discovered in Zalaegerszeg.
(Zoltán Orha)
