The courtyard and gardens of Esterházy Palace (Eszterházy-kastély), which is often called ‘Hungarian Versaila’ and its baroque surroundings, even compared to European standards are unique. It is an emblematic site of the cultural history of Hungary. Prestigious and the largest baroque-rococo monument complex in Hungary.
The courtyard and gardens of Esterházy Palace, which is often called ‘Hungarian Versaila’ and its baroque surroundings, even compared to European standards are unique. It is an emblematic site of the cultural history of Hungary. Prestigious and the largest baroque-rococo monument complex in Hungary.
There are 5 garden types at Esterházy Palace: French Garden, English garden (landscape garden), Rose Garden, Lavender and Herb Garden and the Lés-forest. In the French garden the alleys are reminders of Baroque garden design, which represents the order on nature, used symmetrical layout and geometrical shapes. The Lés- forest was one of the venues of festivities and huntings.
Originally, the French garden, were formally shaped, intersecting garden paths. At their junctions, there were statues of mythological gods/deities or muses. 20,000 flowers were planted along the paths and gardeners replaced them monthly. In contrast to the geometric forms and regular plantings of Baroque garden design, the aim of the 19th century English gardens was to imitate the irregularities of nature. Therefore, the English garden is also called a landsape garden. One of its features is that native trees are planted together with exotic tree species from other continents or countries.
The marvelous Rose Garden was founded on the initiative of Countess Margit Cziráky in 1908. Originally 20,000 roses were planted here, nowdays the rosary has more than 9000 rose-bushes. The Esterházy Palace had several cultural building in the French garden like the Opera House or the Marionette Theather (which is a concert hall nowdays). There was the Orangerie with a baroque mayor and farmsted also. Nowdays the Orangerie is used as an event venue. The water tower wich was near the Maronette theather is today hosting a 360° experience-projection, which shows how the palace and the Historic Garden looked like in the 18th century.
Situated in the Fertő-Hanság National Nature Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, local protection.
Some highlights about Esterházy Palace in Fertőd (Hungary)
Declaration World Heritage UNESCO as part of the Fertő-Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape
Fertőd, Joseph Haydn u. 2, 9431
Győr-Moson-Sopron county, Hungary
Coordinates: 47.619154, 16.877296
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Spring / Summer:
Monday - Sunday 9:00-18:00 h
Autumn / Winter:
Tuesday - Sunday 9:00-17:00 h
More info: eszterhaza.hu
Adult: 3.500 HUF = 10 EUR
Senior, student: 1.500 HUF = 5 EUR
Under 6 ys, over 70 ys: Free
More info: eszterhaza.hu/latogatoknak
Web: eszterhaza.hu
Email: info@eszterhaza.hu
Phone: +3699537640; +36204009306
From Budapest (capital of Hungary): Fertőd is 2 hours trip by car – M1 and M85 road (highway). Public transportation is also available with multiple transfer.
Fertőd is easily accessible from the nearest cities like Sopron, Fertőszentmiklós or Kapuvár by car, bus or train.
The Esterházy Palace at Fertőd is the greatest Baroque-Rococo monument complex in Hungary. On the site of the Palace, Duke Joseph Esterházy initiated the construction of a hunting lodge with twenty-two rooms in 1720, based on the plans of the Viennese architect, Erhard Martinelli. However, the golden age of the Palace began when Nicholas Esterházy (also known as Miklós ‘the Magnificent’) succeeded to the ducal title.
Utilising the grandeur of 18th century Baroque-Rococo architecture, Duke Nicholas enlarged the palace, and with the help of Nicolaus Jakoby; he created a large garden with several alleys. At the French Garden with an Opera House and a Marionette theatre and employed German theatre companies as well as Italian and French ballet dancers. The orchestra of the Palace led by Joseph Haydn the great musician and composer, the chamber composer and conductor at Eszterháza, was well-known all over Europe.
The second golden period of Eszterháza came about at the turn of the 19th and 20th century. The suites of the Palace and the French Garden were restored for Duke Nicholas Esterházy IV. and his wife, Countess Margaret Cziráky. Enchanted by Eszterháza the Countess spent her dowry on the restoration of the palace and the gardens. The modernisation of the park started in 1902. Among the designers of the gardens was Anton Umlauft, one of the best-known gardeners in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
The greatest attraction of the gardens, the Rosary was installed in 1908 containing a 220 metres long vaulted, diagonal system of pergolas, with an octagonal Chinese pavilion in its centre and 20 thousand rose-bushes. Unfortunately, the Duchess could not enjoy the pleasures of the extraordinary rose garden for long, she died in 1910. Based on scientific documentation of the garden’s history, the Rosary was restored and reopened in 2015, counting about nine thousand rose-bushes today.
The most beautiful castle in Hungary is the Esterházy Castle next to Lake Fertő. The 300-year-old castle is full of colourful history, exciting stories, and vibrant cultural life. Whenever curious about the endless line of exhibitions and concerts, the picturesque landscape, the spectacle of the building complex, or want to come to concerts, everyone will find entertainment to their liking.
The programs and exhibitions offered by the castle can be suitable for spending a full day. In addition to tours, the castle awaits visitors with many cultural programs throughout the year, such as a recurring series of programs at various music festivals (e.g. Haydn String Quartet Festival) scientific, historical conferences (e.g. Mihály Mőcsényi Garden Art and Garden History Workshop and Conference Series).
Originally, the French Garden is decorated with yew-trees (Taxus baccata). There were more formally shaped, intersecting garden paths. On the road to the English garden there are Caucasian linden trees. These rows are made up of 94 specimens that were planted here simultaneously with the yew-trees, around 1904.
At the English Garden there are several type of plants, trees like: sweet mock orange, maritime pine, incense cedar, southern catalpa or cigar tree, tulip trees and ginko bilobas. At the Rose Garden originally 20,000 roses were planted in the early 20th century. Reconstruction of the Rose Garden began in 2012 after the Eszterháza Cultural, Research and Festival Centre got the area back.
Reconstruction work was finished in 2015. Besides the German species, there are flowers of Gergely Márk, the most significant Hungarian rose-breeder. There are more than 400 species and approximately 9000 rose-bushes today. The flowers are about 8-10 cm wide, pale pink, densely rich with a thousand petals.