Kossuth House Museum

This 18th-century Turkish house on Macar (Hungarian) Street in the centre of Kütahya is also known as the Hungarian House. Lajos Kossuth (1802-1894), one of the leaders of Hungary's freedom struggle, stayed here with his family in 1850-1851 and prepared a draft Hungarian constitution in these rooms.

The story begins with the defeat of the 1848 revolution. Kossuth and companions left Hungary after Austria and Russia allied against it, and about one hundred and fifty refugees sought shelter in the Ottoman Empire. They went by way of Vidin and Shumen, and the Ottomans sent them on to Kütahya, judged safer. When Austria and Russia demanded Kossuth be handed over, Sultan Abdülmecid refused to give up those who had taken refuge with him.

Kossuth and his party arrived in Kütahya on 16 February 1850, and they stayed for about a year and a half. His household soon drew international attention, and he wrote political letters from here. Kossuth later said he owed his life and freedom to the Turks who protected him. The museum keeps this chapter of shared history alive.