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The New Woman

(Dear followers, where exactly is the Esterhazy Castle located? There are some that says it is located in Hungary, some in Austria? Can you please let me know? Thanks!)

#Castle #Interior #Design #Rococo #Esterhazy Castle #Hungary #Austria

Urban began his career as an architect, and many of his early projects were, in fact, dwellings – but not ordinary or bourgeois homes. His very first commission, received at the amazingly young age of nineteen, before he had even finished his studies, was to create a new wing for the Abdin Palace in Cairo for the young Khedive of Egypt. Later in the decade he would create the Esterhazy Castle in St. Abraham, Hungary – a pleasure palace with its white marble facade decorated with gold medallions and floral patterns and its individual rooms that were riots of color, pattern, and geometric shapes.

In 1930, he built his last major structure in New York, for the ultraprogressive New School for Social Research, at 66 West 12th Street. The New School's facade is more or less unchanged, but it has also been possible, at least up to now, for a casual visitor simply to enter unchallenged into the original auditorium - now officially the Tishman Auditorium of New School University. That egg-shaped room focuses on a broad, arched proscenium. Painted in nine tones of gray, the delicate, layered ceiling was restored in 1992 by the architect Rolf Ohlhausen.

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Joseph_Urban

http://digitalarchives.library.newschool.edu/index.php/Browse/objects/key/0356f2d614876f7363610504e4f83168/facet/person_facet/id/121/view/images

http://thenewschoolhistory.org/?page_id=110

http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GV/GV010NewSchoolforSocialResearch..htm

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/eresources/archives/rbml/urban/architectOfDreams/text.html

https://flaglermuseum.us/joseph-urban

#joseph urban #the new school #esterhazy castle #vienna #new york

Esterházy-kastély, Fertőd, Hungary,

Photo by Johannes Hulsc

#art #design #architecture #palace #fertod #Hungary #esterhazy castle #kastély #luxury houses #luxury homes #luxurylifestyle #roccoco #history #style #aerial photography #dronephotography #landscaping #johannes hulsc

Cycling tour around Lake Fertő (Neusiedl)

The third largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Fertő is a salt lake embraced by a range of hills on the west, straddling the Hungarian-Austrian border with third-quarter of its territory belonging to Austria and the rest to Hungary. The lake is very shallow, with an average water level of 50-60cm and 180cm at the deepest. It’s a highly popular holiday destination, not just for the medicinal properties of the lake’s water and mud, but because of its uniquely rich flora and fauna, wild and romantic landscape, numerous nearby attractions and a wide range of outdoor activities, especially for cyclists with a 133km-long cycling path wrapping it around. To immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, hop on a bike and tour Lake Fertő, jump in a canoe or follow marked trails on foot. The natural and cultural rarities of Lake Fertő earned it a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2001.

For experienced cyclists it takes about 8-9 hours to complete the round track, but it’s worth planning a few days’ tour to be able to explore the fascinating natural attractions and to visit the beautiful historic castles nearby. The cycling path itself leads approximately 1-3 kilometres off the lake, through agricultural lands and vineyards; it’s also worth taking a detour from the path to the lake for a refreshing swim.

Lake Fertő is a world of saline grassland surrounding huge reed beds with a labyrinth of canals cutting through them, a world of water meadows, marshlands and lily-of-the-valley blanketed hillsides; a unique island of natural beauty which provides refuge to an incredibly diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and fascinating ethnography and culture.

Fertőrákos

Situated just 9km from Sopron, it is the perfect base for your lake tour, which is worth visiting on its own right as well. One of the most interesting natural attractions of Fertőrákos is undoubtedly the open-air museum of the beautiful Stone Quarry, which can be found on the northern part of the village, situated on a hill. The area once was covered by the Pannon Sea, the evidence of which can still be seen on the walls of the quarry in the form of the remains of ancient plants and animals. The Lajta limestone exploited from the quarry was a very popular building material up to WWI, more precisely until the arrival of concrete. It was used for the building of several nearby castles and churches and even for some buildings in Vienna. The 5-hectare area of the quarry also has a rich flora and fauna, which you can explore following a designated trail leading to a lookout point from where you can have breath-taking views of the lake and its surroundings.

Starting from Fertőrákos on the cycling path, halfway towards the Austrian town of Mörbisch am See (Fertőmeggyes), you can find the Mithras Cave or Mithras Sanctuary. They are underground temples dedicated to the Roman deity, Mithras, also regarded as God of the Sun, from the 1st century AD to the 4th century AD; the most interesting ancient Roman relics from the region.

Near the Sanctuary, you can find the memorial place of a significant historical event, the Pan-European Picnic. It was a peace-demonstration organised by the Pan-European Union, as part of the Revolutions of 1989 leading to the lifting of the Iron Curtain and the reunification of Germany.

Rust/Ruszt

Leaving Fertőrákos and crossing the border at Mörbisch am See, you arrive at Rust, the town of wine and storks. According to the Austrians, it is the most beautiful of the lake towns. It’s worth taking a stroll in this charming, peaceful place, especially around its 16th–18th century town centre surrounded by medieval walls, where almost each building is a historic monument. It’s also worth visiting the Fishermen’s Church (Fischerkirche) in the main square (Rathausplatz).

Neusiedl am See/Nezsider

After leaving Rust, your next stop is Neusiedl am See, the lake centre on the Austrian side. On your way, it’s worth having a quick stop at the wine cellars of Purbach (or a longer one, depending on the quantity of wine you intend to taste). Neusiedl am See, situated 50km from the base at Fertőrákos, about halfway on the cycling path, is perfect for spending the night with a great number of accommodations on offer and a great beach.

After leaving Neusiedl, you turn back towards the Hungarian border. Your path will lead through the Fertő-Hanság National Park and Bird Reserve where you can explore this rich, fascinating wetland habitat, and especially the unique, indigenous bird species of the region; truly, a world waiting to be discovered with more than 300 bird species, rare plants and animals.

Podersdorf am See/Pátfalu

Your next stop is Podersdorf, a true “Riviera” town with a harbour, a promenade and a great beach with a wealth of water sport activities to choose from. It also has a charming 160-year-old windmill that’s worth a visit as well.

After leaving Podersdorf, the trail again leads through the National Park. On your way, you will pass through the town of Illmitz (Illmic), from where ferries run regularly to Mörbisch am See (Fertőmeggyes) on the western side of the lake.

Fertőd

After crossing the border, there is a sight for every kilometre. Visiting the Esterhazy Castle in Fertőd, the third largest historical building complex in Hungary, built by Miklós Esterhazy, however, is a must. The facade of the castle has almost every ornamental element of the Baroque style. The symmetry of the building, along with the richly ornamented arched stairs leading to the Music Room and the Ceremony Hall, are a fascinating sight. The marvellous interiors and the plentiful decoration of the 126 rooms will amaze every visitor. As a generous Maecenas, the owner transformed his court into a true cultural centre. For example, Joseph Haydn served the family for 30 years and composed a large number of his masterpieces here. The mementoes of his life’s work fill three of the castle’s rooms. The famous Gallery of the castle, with its 348 paintings, provides a basis for the Hungarian National Gallery. There is also a permanent exhibition on Fertőd’s regional history housed in the former residence of Haydn. The castle regularly hosts a wide variety of music concerts and festivals as well.

Sarród

The centre of the Fertő-Hanság National Park, Sarród, is home to Kócsagvár (Kócsag Castle), the headquarters and tourist centre of the National Park. It is Hungary’s largest building covered with a thatched roof. Its name comes from the indigenous bird species of the National Park, the Great egret (Kócsag in Hungarian), which is also the symbol of Hungarian nature conservation and can be found on the Fertő-Hanság National Park’s coat of arms. The main hall of the Castle is home to several interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Fertőszéplak

Towards the end of your tour, you will pass through Fertőszéplak, the ancient seat of the Széchenyi family until the end of the 18th century, when they moved to Nagycenk.

The main street of village hosts an open-air ethnographic museum with uniformly laid-out original herringbone houses which are prominent examples of peasant-baroque architecture. Every single house here is a treasure in itself. There is also an exhibition showing the history, life and folk art of the people living in the Fertő region. The collection also introduces the characteristic changes in interior design from 1850 to 1950, as well as the inventiveness of farmers in improving their methods in order to keep up with modern times.

Hegykő & Balf

As a great ending to your tour, visit Hegykő’s quality thermal bath for some relaxation to your tired muscles and fill your bottles with Balf’s mineral water which will surely freshen you up for the last few kilometres. The final section of the trail leads steeply uphill before arriving back at Fertőrákos.

Nagycenk

The village of Nagycenk, situated just 14km from Hegykő, is highly worth visiting as well. Here you can find the Széchenyi Mausoleum, located in the village cemetery, the most sacred place of pilgrimage for Hungarian people. It is not only a memorial place of national identity, but also an invaluable piece of art, with its unique architecture and interior. While in Nagycenk, also visit the Széchenyi Castle, one of the most beautiful country mansions in Hungary, and the István Széchenyi Memorial Museum which presents the life and work of the “Greatest Hungarian”. There is also a stud farm, an open-air locomotive museum and a Nostalgia Train located in Nagycenk.

Cycling tour around Lake Fertő (Neusiedl) was originally published on Freeminimaps - discover authentic experiences!