Esterházy-kastély
The baroque-rococo palace complex of Fertőd, the “Hungarian Versailles”, where Joseph Haydn once worked as court conductor.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Esterházy-kastély (Esterházy Palace) is the largest baroque-rococo monument complex in Hungary. The Esterházy family began building in 1720 in the marshy, game-rich landscape by Lake Fertő, first with a hunting lodge of 22 rooms. Its present form was achieved between 1762 and 1784 under Prince Esterházy “Fényes” Miklós, who had the palace built as a residence that rivalled the courts of European rulers.
Joseph Haydn was court conductor at the princely court; the palace hosted theatre and puppet theatre, opera and festivities, and Mária Terézia was also a guest here. After Miklós’s death the family moved its seat to Kismarton, and Fertőd experienced a second period of splendour only in the early 20th century, under Prince IV. Miklós and Cziráky Margit.
After the Second World War the palace was looted and used as a research institute and a school; restoration began in 1957. Since 2014 it has been a key institution of the Eszterháza Kulturális, Kutató- és Fesztiválközpont. Visitors can see the interiors, the picture gallery, the porcelain cabinet and the Belvedere, as well as the French garden and the Cziráky Margit Rose Garden.
Highlights
- Princely and princess’s apartments
- Apollo Hall
- Haydn memorial and interactive music exhibition
- Esterházy Picture Gallery and Porcelain Cabinet
- Belvedere lookout
- Cziráky Margit Rose Garden
Permanent exhibitions
- Átváltozások – a magyar Versailles három évszázad tükrében – The ground-floor interiors show the princely and princess’s apartments; the upper-floor interactive exhibition presents Haydn’s work and the apartments furnished for Mária Terézia; short films are shown in the Belvedere.
- Arcok és tekintetek – Esterházy Porcelán Kabinet – A permanent display of porcelain selected from the Esterházy family’s collection, in the west wing of the palace.
- Esterházy képtár – A permanent exhibition linked to the Esterházy family’s art collection, in the west wing of the palace.
- Operated by
- Eszterháza Kulturális, Kutató- és Fesztiválközpont
Admission & discounts
| Adults | HUF 6,000 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | HUF 3,000Students and pensioners (50% discount); Hungarian and EEA citizens aged 6–26 and over 65 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free under 6; ages 6–26 receive a 50% discount for Hungarian and EEA citizens |
| Seniors | freeFree from age 70; citizens of the EEA aged over 65 receive a 50% discount |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Persons with disabilities and one companion may visit free of charge (EEA citizens) |
| Groups (5+ people) | –Group guided tours with prior registration at info@eszterhaza.hu |
| Families | HUF 12,0002 adults and 2 or more children under 18 (castle middle section) |
| Kastély Esszencia (middle section, picture gallery and temporary exhibitions), adult | HUF 9,500student/pensioner HUF 4,750, family HUF 19,000 |
| West wing (Esterházy Picture Gallery, Porcelain Cabinet, family history cabinet), adult | HUF 4,000student/pensioner HUF 2,000, family HUF 8,000 |
| Porból lettünk… exhibition, adult | HUF 2,000student/pensioner HUF 1,000, family HUF 4,000 |
| Cziráky Margit Rose Garden and Rose House, adult | HUF 2,000student/pensioner HUF 1,500, family HUF 6,000; HUF 1,500 for visitors over 70 |
| Combined ticket Fertőd–Nagycenk (Kastély Esszencia + Nagycenk) | HUF 15,000two further types: HUF 12,000 and HUF 10,000 |
| Individual guided tour in Hungarian, English or German (5–30 people) | HUF 2,000per person, about 1 hour per occasion |
| Group guided tour in Hungarian (5–30 people) | HUF 10,000per group, 1 hour, with prior registration |
| Group guided tour in English or German (5–30 people) | HUF 12,000per group, 1 hour, with prior registration |
Free admission: On the first Sunday of each month, the permanent exhibitions are free for Hungarian and EEA citizens under 26 and for accompanying relatives of children under 18 (up to 2 persons). On national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October) the exhibitions are free for everyone.
Proof of entitlement to a discount must be shown at the ticket office. Local residents and Velux employees receive 50%; holders of the Kastélykártya (Castle Card) receive 20% off adult tickets. SZÉP card accepted. Visitors aged 70 and over can visit most exhibitions free of charge.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | HUF 12,000 · 2 adults and 2 or more children under 18 (castle middle section) |
- Family tours & workshops
Museum education sessions, children’s programmes and castle tours; a marionette theatre also operates in the palace.
Getting there & parking
The palace is located at Fertőd–Eszterháza, Joseph Haydn út 2. The parking rules are described in the Parking Regulations on the website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Esterházy café and food service; museum shop (10:00–18:00). In the exhibition rooms there is no internet connection, or only a very weak one.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Apollo Hall, State Dining Room, Summer Dining Room, Orangery (Narancsház), Belvedere, Cziráky Margit Rose Garden and Rose House, French Park.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (HU, EN, DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The free “Visual guide” app is available for download in Hungarian, English and German (internet needed for the download, not for use). After downloading, select Esterházy-kastély in Fertőd. |
