Sissi and Hungary: The Magnificent Life of Hungarian Aristocracy in the 17-19th Century — Xi'an Stop

The exhibition titled "Sissi and Hungary – the luxurious life of the Hungarian aristocracy in the 17-19th centuries" is based on carefully selected items from different collections of the Hungarian National Museum. It showcases more than 150 original artefacts in China to present how members of the Hungarian aristocracy lived their lives in those four centuries – starting from the late Middle Ages till the Habsburg era. This major "Sisi" exhibition started in Shanghai in June 2017 and concluded in Xian in 2018 after touring Shanghai, Beijing, and Kunming. The exhibition attracted over 2.7 million visitors by the time of its closing.

Number of objects: 150

Venue size: 1000 - 1500 m2

Design Challenges

As the final stop in China, in the historically rich city of Xi'an, the challenge was to sustain the exhibition’s impact after multiple installations while engaging an audience with a strong cultural identity of its own.

There was also a need to refine the balance between the iconic figure of Sisi and the deeper historical narrative, based on insights gained from previous venues.

Design Strategy

The exhibition design was optimized through accumulated experience, refining both spatial flow and narrative emphasis.

The “figure entering history” approach was maintained, but key storytelling moments were strengthened to ensure clarity and engagement. The four-dimensional structure became more fluid and intuitive, enhancing visitor comprehension.

Spatial and visual elements were fine-tuned to create a polished and cohesive final presentation, combining narrative depth with a strong atmospheric experience.

Project Value

As the concluding venue, Xi’an marked the successful culmination of a major international touring exhibition that reached over 2.7 million visitors.

The project demonstrated how a widely recognized historical figure can serve as a powerful medium for cultural exchange. By transforming Sisi into a lens for understanding Hungarian history, the exhibition expanded the possibilities of international museum storytelling—bridging cultures through narrative, design, and shared human experience.