Esterháza
The Esterháza or Esterházy-kastély Fertöd Palace, known as the ‘Hungarian Versailles’, was built in the 18th century on the orders of Prince Miklós Esterházy, a member of one of Hungary's most powerful lineages. The architect appointed to build it was Johann Ferdinand Mödlhammer, and the project was later continued by Melchior Hefele, who gave the palace its final rococo and baroque style.
Construction of the palace began in 1762 in the town of Fertőd, near the present-day Austrian border, and was completed in 1766. Miklós Esterházy wanted it as his main residence and for lavish ceremonies and concerts to showcase his family's power and wealth.
During his rule, Prince Miklos turned the palace into an important cultural centre in Central Europe. The musician and composer Joseph Haydn was employed as chapel master at the Esterházy court between 1766 and 1790, and composed many of his best-known works in Esterháza, which became a meeting place for renowned musicians and artists.
After Miklós Esterházy's death in 1790, the palace lost some of its splendour, as his successor, Anton Esterházy, was less interested in maintaining cultural activities. Anton moved the family residence to the town of Kismarton (today's Eisenstadt in Austria), leaving the Esterháza palace as a secondary property.
During the 19th century, the palace was partially abandoned, and the Napoleonic wars and other regional conflicts caused damage to its structure. However, the Esterházy family retained ownership of the palace, which was restored several times to preserve its historical and artistic value.
The 20th century brought more challenges for the palace. During World War II, the building was severely damaged by military occupations, and after the war, the Hungarian government that emerged from the fall of Nazism and its allies expropriated many properties of the nobility, including the Esterháza Palace.
After decades of neglect, following the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Hungarian state initiated a restoration process in the late 20th century, which restored some of the original grandeur of the palace, now a museum open to the public and a centre for cultural events.
Today, the Esterháza palace is one of Hungary's most prominent tourist attractions and hosts concerts and festivals, keeping alive the country's musical tradition. Its history reflects the glory and decadence of the Hungarian nobility and the revival of its cultural heritage.
