Esterházy Palace, Fertőd

The construction and heyday of the building complex was brought about by Prince Miklós Esterházy the Magnificent, who continually carried out building works from 1762 to his death in 1790 in order to create a residence comparable to royal courts, where luxurious festivities were an everyday occurrence. Eszterháza was frequented not only by high-ranking families of the era but also by Empress-Queen Maria Theresa herself, and the great composer Joseph Haydn also lived and worked here. During the decades followingthe Prince’s death, the palace was hardly ever used by the family, and it drifted into a century-long slumber. In 1902, Prince Miklós IV Esterházy and his wife, Countess Margit Cziráky, moved back to the renovated palace, bringing new life to the wonderful walls. In these years, Eszterháza became once again the number one residence of the noble family. World War II put an end to this new heyday. Today, we spice up life in Eszterháza with a bonanza of musical and cultural programmes.