Constructions and exterior of the Eszterházy Palace

The palace of Eszterhaza was built in baroque and rococo style, though we can see the features of the copf style as well.

The palace

In the Eszterházy Palace the constructions began in 1720 when there was a U-shaped castle for purposes of hunting.

Plans of the palace in 1774

 In 1762 Miklós Eszterházy organized a” commissio” when they agreed to reconstruct the palace and decided on the tasks of the workers. The constructions finished in 1784 and this is how it looks like today. There are new baroque style gates.   

Baroqe style gate

       

This palace can be counted among the first 18-19. century aristocratic palaces. There are 126 rooms in it. It has a balcony in front, moreover, there are staircases built in baroque style outside.

The staircase

 It has its concert hall as the central of the building. There are plenty of rooms with several purposes such as working, salons for the reception of the guests, bedrooms, dining rooms, concert halls. 

sources:

Hokkyné Sallay Marianne: A fertődi Eszterházy kastély(1979)

                Rácz Endre: Fertőd(1974)

                Stefánka László: Ismerkedés Fertőddel(2004)

The Eszterházy family

A for the Eszterházy family I would like to write about the members who played an important role in the construction of the Eszterházy Palace at Fertőd. The Eszterhazy family was a very influential one in Hungary, which means that it had a great fortune, big territories and also was the supporter of arts and sciences. There were significant members in this familiy, who were not just in a good position in the court, but also supported the poor and made a lot of changes in their area. 

Before the constructions of this glorious palace, a castle stood at its place for purposes of hunting which was built by József Eszterházy.

József Eszterházy

His son, Miklós Eszterhazy lived for 20 years in Vienna, became a privy councillor, an imperial and royal Chamberlain. He got married with Maria Elisabeth Ungnad Weissenwolff and one year later they son was born calles Antal Eszterházy. He visited Paris and Versailles which made a big impression on him, therefore he decided to built the Hungarian Versailles. Once Maria Theresia visited the palace, what is more, she was fascinated by the palace and the garden, thus it is obvious that he created a marvellous court in Eszterhaza which shows resemblance to other palaces such as Versailles and Schönbrunn.  

Miklós Eszterházy

In 1761 his brother Antal Pál invited Haydn who became the composer of the family and also the conductor of the orchestra.

Antal Pál Eszterházy

Joseph Haydn

In 1762 Miklós Eszterházy organized a” commissio” when they agreed to reconstruct the palace and decided on the tasks of the workers.

Sources: Hokkyné Sallay Marianne: A fertődi Eszterházy kastély(1979)

                Rácz Endre: Fertőd(1974)

                Stefánka László: Ismerkedés Fertőddel(2004)