Indoor Budapest
Behind the Time Machine
About us
Time Machine Budapest was born from the shared vision of Máté Gabriella Xénia and U. Kovács Levente. They wanted to create a truly unique attraction in Budapest — one that brings the city's history to life not through traditional museum displays, but through modern technology, immersive spaces, sound and storytelling.
The concept is based on the idea that the past is easiest to understand when we do not simply read about it, but experience it. That is why Time Machine Budapest takes visitors through nearly 200 years of the city's defining eras through a multi-generational family story, human fates and forgotten stories.
Xénia Gabriella Máté is the creative producer of Time Machine Budapest, and the creative and operational driving force behind the project. As the owner of MiniPolisz, Indoor Budapest, and Time Machine, she plays a defining role in creating and operating several experience-based attractions in Budapest. During the development of this project, she oversaw the entire process: playing a key role in the ideation, the design concept, the coordination of specialists, the supervision of construction, and the development of the operational structure. Her mission is to create experience-based venues that entertain, educate, inspire thought, and provide lasting value for visitors.
As co-owner of Time Machine Budapest, Levente Kovács authored the historical narrative, shaped the exhibition dramaturgy, created the visual content, directed the music, designed the soundscape, and produced the conceptual visual designs for the exhibition's historical environments.
As one of the first exhibition and attraction developers to pioneer the storyrama approach in the late 2000s, he has since dedicated his work to creating immersive, story-driven experiences. His exhibitions and attractions move beyond traditional, text-based interpretation, transforming history into cinematic journeys. Drawing on diary fragments, memoirs, and firsthand accounts, he crafts narratives that unfold through a carefully choreographed sequence of spaces, sound, light, imagery, and emotion. Rather than remaining passive observers, visitors become active participants, with learning and discovery emerging naturally as the story unfolds, turning history into a memorable and emotionally engaging experience.
The exhibition's historical accuracy was ensured by the distinguished historians Csaba Domonkos, Dr. Gábor Dombi, and Dr. Gábor Tabajdi, who served as historical advisors and reviewers.
Development Team
Time Machine Budapest is the result of the joint work of a diverse creative and professional team. Renowned historians, designers, film set decorators, graphic designers, musicians, technical specialists and communication professionals all contributed to the project. Together, they worked to bring the historical content, visual world, atmosphere, technology and visitor experience into one unified, memorable journey through time.
Contributing Voice Artists and Actors
Several renowned Hungarian voice artists and actors contributed to the creation of the Time Machine Budapest experience. Through their voices and performances, Budapest's history becomes more than a sequence of events — it turns into an immersive, emotionally engaging journey through time.
Contributing artists include: Vass György, Gubás Gabi, Kautzky Armand, Szervét Tibor, Péter Szokol, Hevér Gábor, Rába Roland, Kardos Róbert, Fodor Zsóka, Vándor Éva, Csifó Dorina, Krisztian Kovács and Gergely Róbert.
Our Partners
The creation of Time Machine Budapest was also supported by MiniPolisz, Indoor Budapest and Animatiqua.
MiniPolisz is an interactive family experience centre where children can playfully discover the world of adults. Designed for children aged 3–12, this miniature city allows visitors to try different real-life situations and professions while learning through play.
Indoor Budapest is a unique indoor minigolf experience centre with spectacular lights, themed spaces, three magical worlds and 18 courses. It offers a weather-independent, downtown entertainment option for friends, couples, families and corporate teams alike.
Animatiqua contributed to the visual world of Time Machine Budapest with its distinctive animation and visual storytelling work. They created our World War I material, bringing the period to life through the use of numerous Fortepan photographs and helping visitors experience one of the defining eras of Budapest's history in a more immersive way.
