Szentendre’s open-air museum, the Skanzen, is embracing the herbal renaissance with three spring workshops dedicated to plants, remedies, and the timeless wisdom behind them. For centuries—up to the 19th—medicines drew on plant and animal ingredients; modern science has since affirmed much of that experiential knowledge. Used with sound judgment and the right methods, herbs support healing and strengthen the body. These sessions bring that history to life and send participants home with handcrafted “wonder remedies.”
Where, when, how
All three workshops take place at the Skanzen, 2000 Szentendre, Sztaravodai Road (Sztaravodai út). Dates and themes, each running Friday 14:00–17:00:
– May 8, 2026 – The Magical Life of Herbs
– June 5, 2026 – That Wonderful Honey! Cosmetics Powered by Honey
– June 19, 2026 – From My Soul to Yours: Emotions with Essential Oils
Registration closes on the Friday of the week before each event. Each date stands alone, so you can drop in for one, or deepen your knowledge across all three. A discounted three-workshop pass is available.
Tickets and discounts
Pricing combines museum entry with a program fee. For one session: Skanzen admission + 12,000 HUF per person per session. For a 3-session pass: Skanzen admission each time + 31,000 HUF per person for all three. Holders of the annual Skanzen Card pay only the program fee. Other discounts (retirees, teachers, etc.) apply to admission. Advance registration is required, and programs run with sufficient sign-ups. Max group size is 15 per session.
How the afternoon unfolds
Plan to arrive by 13:30. Inside the museum you’ll either take the internal train or walk about 10 minutes to the first stop. From 14:00 to 14:30, a guided intro at one of the museum’s traditional homesteads spotlights wild and cultivated herbs gathered across the grounds, along with how they’re processed—plus a quick tasting of herbal tea. A short stroll from 14:30 to 14:45 leads to the Transylvania section’s early 20th-century pharmacy. From 14:45 to 15:00, a mini tour uncovers how a period apothecary worked and what herbal products it prepared. The finale, 15:00 to 17:00, is in the Experience Lab, where you craft your own take-home remedies.
Who’s teaching
– Erzsike Kovácsné Gábor, herbal specialist
– Zsófia Szigethy, museum educator
– Adél Sári, phytotherapist
Each brings a different slice of expertise: field knowledge, historical context, and practical, science-aware methods.
Workshop deep dives
May 8, 14:00–17:00 – The Magical Life of Herbs: You’ve heard about active compounds, but what lies beyond them? This session explores how to truly get to know a medicinal plant—its character, traditional lore, and the edge cases where healing shades into hazard. Which plants were rumored in witchcraft? What about poisonous medicinal herbs and how people historically navigated them? You’ll make oils, salves, and “charms” intended to support you in tough moments, handled with care and context.
June 5, 14:00–17:00 – That Wonderful Honey! Cosmetics Powered by Honey: From head to toe, reimagine your skincare with honey. The workshop rethinks everyday routines to swap in natural-ingredient alternatives for face and body. You’ll leave with rejuvenating, softening, restorative, and nourishing formulations you’ve mixed yourself, along with practical know-how to keep going at home.
June 19, 14:00–17:00 – From My Soul to Yours: Emotions with Essential Oils: The essence of herbs lives in those tiny essential oil vials—and their benefits reach beyond the physical. Essential oils can gently influence emotional states; this is your invitation to look inward and craft the scent blend that fits you best. After exploring aroma properties and effects, and a guided mini self-audit of feelings, you’ll bottle a personalized fragrance composition to take away.
Good to know
Skanzen Hotel sits right next to the open-air museum and is Szentendre’s largest-capacity lodging—ideal if you’re turning a workshop into a weekend. For food, a self-service à la carte inn relocated from Jászárokszállás sits just a minute from the station building, serving regional specialties with a seasonal focus and honest countryside flavors. The Mádi wine bar and cellar-restaurant wraps guests in 19th-century charm and an excellent lineup of Hungarian craft wines; the cellar hosts 30–60-person dinners, receptions, or intimate weddings, and offers popular tastings featuring upland artisan wines.
Organizers reserve the right to change the program and schedule. Follow, call, or message for details, tickets, and reservations. And yes—book your room or table early.
