The exhibits include Paleolithic and Neolithic items, Metal Age artefacts, Dacian tools, military diplomas from the Roman camp of Gherla (2nd century), one of them dated 123; ethnography: fishing and bee-keeping tools, wood and glass icons; lapidarium: 3 Roman inscriptions and 3 mediaeval ones; Armenian religious objects (mitres, chalices, crosses); the "Petru Maior" Lyceum year book collection (17 issues); numismatics; icons; heraldry and library (5,000 books).
Some Armenian religious artifacts dating to the early 18th century, belonging to the category of Treasure, emerged into a permanent exhibition. The museum also owns a Lapidarium, recently established. Other special items: a clock from the 17th century; a Lumière camera; a velocipede; furniture from Bänffy and Petőfi castles (late 19th - early 20th centuries) and a huge bear shot in 1904. The museum has a hall displaying a French donation of 500 books: literary classics, encyclopaedias, children's books, art albums etc.
The centre of the city has a historical relevance, as it was established by Armenians by early 18th century, during the reign of Leopold I. The fortress of Gherla dates from 1540. It is known as prison from 1785. The Roman camp was destroyed by the construction of the wood factory in the ‘60s. The building housing the museum was built in early 18th century and was named Karaciany House (private property). It is in the Baroque style, has a ground floor and an upper floor and belongs to the listed buildings of the town. In 1905, it was sold to a Hungarian bank, and in 1910, it was bought by the Greco-Catholic Bishopric united with Rome in Gherla that used it as theological institute. Between 1940 and 1948, the building was used by the church as a home for priests. In 1948, it was nationalized and transformed into school for apprentices, and later as council houses. In 1976, the restoration began and the building turned into a museum. In 1993, it became the property of the united Greco-Catholic Bishopric, but it continued to be a museum. The building is under restoration. It was established under the name of the Armenian Museum, was reorganized in 1952, and based on older collections and newl researches.
The museum owns goods listed in the National Cultural Heritage Treasure.
Category
Muzeu orăşenesc
General profile
IST
Main profile
Arheologie daco-romană, Etnografie locală, Istorie
