The literary estate and the Valentin Tomberg Archive are built upon the documents, letters, and manuscripts entrusted by Tomberg to his executor, Martin Kriele. This foundation has been expanded through decades of meticulous collection by the Ramstein Circle and the research of Robert Powell—who acquired extensive records from Tomberg’s student, Eva Cliteur. Following the stewardship of Michael and Eva Frensch, the collection is now preserved as a comprehensive record of Tomberg’s life and legacy by Austrian-Hungarian researcher Alexander Batthyány.
The estate includes handwritten notes, personal correspondence, original manuscripts, and Tomberg’s private journals (which remain closed to the general public). Furthermore, it contains extensive documentation regarding the reception of his work after 1973, as well as the papers of his close friend Nikolai Belozwetoff and other long-time companions, such as the von Hippel family.
The archive also houses Tomberg’s “Hermetic Library,” consisting of rare French editions from the height of the French Hermetic revival (1890–1925), a collection generously transferred to the archive by Robert Powell. In addition to written materials, the archive maintains an audio collection of lectures covering Tomberg’s work across his various creative periods; most of these recordings originate from working sessions and public events held by the Ramstein Circle.
The archive is open to the public by appointment. It serves as a vibrant center for both scholarly and biographical research, receiving visitors from around the world. To ensure the preservation of the materials, we have established a set of “User Guidelines” that outline the rules for the consultation and use of our holdings.
On-site, researchers have access to modern tools to assist their work, including: digital catalog for efficient searching of the collection; analog tape recorder for listening to the historical lectures held in the audio archive. Scanning and copying facilities to support document research.
Contact for Appointments: Alexander Batthyány
Location and Visitor Information
The Valentin Tomberg Archive is located in Sitke (József A. u. 4, H-9671 Sitke), an ancient village in western Hungary (with records dating back 1251). It is set in a serene landscape at the foot of an extinct volcanic hill near Celldömölk and the thermal region of Sárvár—a neighbouring spa town renowned far beyond Hungary’s borders for its healing springs. The archive is easily accessible by public transport, located approximately two hours by train or car from Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Graz, and Maribor.
Current Status and Facilities
The renovation and furnishing of the archive building were completed by St. John’s Day (Johanni) 2024. Following final preparations, the archive was officially opened during the weekend of July 19–21, 2025, with a solemn blessing of the house conducted by H.E. Bishop János Székely (Szombathely).
As of October 10, 2025, the archive has been fully cataloged. Current efforts are focused on:
- The detailed indexing of the vast correspondence.
- The digitization of Tomberg’s essays, letters, and books to ensure their long-term preservation.
- The creation of a concordance of key terms throughout Tomberg’s entire oeuvre.