Royal Palace of Gödöllő
 

The largest Baroque palace of Hungary was built after 1735 by Anton Grassalkovich I. creating a new type in Hungarian Baroque palace architecture.
By the architectural innovation of the talented Austrian architect of the era, András Mayerhoffer (1690–1771), the imposing main facade of the palace came into view, the U-shaped wings lean backwards towards the garden and surround the palace courtyard without leaning forward like the Esterházy Palace in Fertőd. Thus, the visitors can enter the building through the main ornamental gate of the Palace where from there they can go to the magnificent garden of the building.

Count Anton Grassalkovich I., one of the richest Hungarian noblemen of the 18th century, a royal person, the president of the Hungarian Chamber, the confidant of Queen Maria Theresa (1740–1780), raised the splendor of his Palace to such a level that won the recognition of the highest circles when Maria Theresa visited the palace in 1751. The eight wings of the double U-shaped building, surrounded by a huge park, were built in several stages and were partially remodeled between 1782 and 1785. It gained its present form at the beginning of the 19th century, during the era of the third generation of the Grassalkoviches: in addition to the Noble Apartments and representative rooms, a church (Castle Church), a theater (Baroque Theater), a Riding Hall, a spa, a flower house and an orange house (Orangerie) were built.

After the extinction of the male branch of the family, the building had several owners, and in 1867 the Hungarian state bought it as the resting residence of the current Hungarian ruler, at which time it was given the name "Royal Palace". Emperor and King Franz Joseph I (1867–1916) often stayed in Gödöllő, and his family spent many months in the palace. Queen Elisabeth (1837–1898) especially loved Gödöllő, where she found soul-building freedom far from the Viennese court: she felt more at home here than in the Hofburg. She spent a total of 2,663 days in Hungary - of which more than 2,000 days in Buda and Gödöllő. She enjoyed riding and hunting in the forests of Gödöllő. "I am a resident of Gödöllő," she said, wandering in her long, lonely walks, asking for directions from locals who had woven legends around their beloved queen in his lifetime. After her tragic death, one of the country's first memorial parks was established in her honor in Gödöllő (Elisabeth Park).

In the royal era, the building was expanded with marble stables and a huge remise. The Riding Hall was refurnished, where Queen Elisabeth could also perform excellent circus equestrian stunts. On the right and left side of the main entrance, two gardens  were created for the royal majesties (Palace Garden-Upper Garden). Between the two world wars, the palace was used by Governor Miklós Horthy, at which time a shelter called the "Horthy-bunker" was built in the southern front garden. After 1945 - like so many other Hungarian palaces - the fate of the Gödöllő Palace was a gradual destruction. Soviet and Hungarian formations settled between its walls, a Home for the Elderly was established in its beautiful halls, and the park was torn. The reconstruction of the almost destroyed palace began in 1994, and in 1996 the main facade wing was handed over, which gaves place to a permanent exhibition including the Ball Room and the Royal Apartments (the Palace Museum).

In June 1997, the range of historically authentic interiors depicting the monarchical Hungary, the era of Queen Elisabeth and Franz Joseph were expanded with new rooms. In 1998, on the 100th anniversary of the Queen's death, the Queen Elisabeth Memorial Exhibition was opened. On the 250th anniversary of Maria Theresa's visit to Gödöllő, (August 10, 2001), the permanent exhibition was completed with rooms reminiscent of the Grassalkoviches and the Baroque era of the palace. The Baroque Theater, which is a European rarity, has been open to the public since August 2003. In the development phase of the building, which started in 2009, the Gisela and Rudolf wings and the central part of the palace's park (an area of ​​5.2 hectares) were renovated from an investment of HUF 1.6 billion. In the renovated wings, the space is now open for new permanent and temporary exhibitions and music master classes. In the next development phase, with an additional investment of 1 billion, the 636 square meter Riding Hall and the Baroque Stables were renovated as venues for congresses and larger events.

Virtual tour of the European Union presidency.

Opening hours: Weekdays 10.00-18.00 * Ticket office until 17.00
Weekends 10.00-18.00 * Ticket office until 17.00
The Palace reserves the right to restrict visits, please inquire about the possibilities of the Palace before visiting.
Click here for more information on opening hours!
It can be visited: with a ticket to the Palace Museum.
Click here for current ticket information!

Contact:
Tel .: +36 28 410-124
Web :
www.kiralyikastely.hu
 
 

Turisztikai Egyesület Gödöllő
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