Castle Ferted (Fertod), better known as the Palace of Esterhazy (Esterhazy-kastely) - is one of the biggest and most luxurious of such facilities in Hungary. And how baroque palace and park ensemble castle has virtually no competitors in their country. It is located in the city Ferted about two hundred kilometers from the capital - Budapest. It is through this small town with a population of approximately 3000 people castle got its name. But as he had for a long time belonged to natives of the famous noble family Esterhazy Castle today proudly bears their name. This dynasty became famous primarily for its huge thirst for wealth and luxury, and today the castle Ferted demonstrates its brightness, splendor and rich appearance.

Esterhazy dynasty peak of his wealth and influence reached in the 18th century, it was then that Prince Miklos second nicknamed Brilliant ordered to build a beautiful palace on the very spot where stood while his personal hunting castle, which was built by his father Jozsef Esterhazy. Then the castle was commissioned by architect Antonio Martinelli Ehrhardt in July 1720. Hunting castle consisted of 20 rooms and had two front hall. Work took only three months. Construction of a new palace lasted from 1763 to 1767 years. Miklos second year after year spent incredible amounts of money just for the sake of entertainment and luxury buying expensive things. This is not surprising when you consider that Prince Miklos II was one of the richest Hungarian noblemen of his time.

Construction of the magnificent castle with rich decoration was another whim of the prince. He conceived of the palace so that his guests breathtaking splendor and beauty of the castle, that all they have seen the power of the prince. At this time the hunting castle was reconstructed and expanded with new buildings side. Bailey was planted on its perimeter, clipped trees and in the center of the park was laid out a large fountain. But the prince was not only a lover of luxury. Miklos II was known to contemporaries and as a prominent cultural figure of the 18th century. Prince actively supported the arts and music scene, as well as doing her organization. From the outset, the lock on the idea of ​​a nobleman was to be built in a horseshoe shape, the same as the French Versailles. Actually, the idea of Prince turned into reality. In the very same prince visited Versailles in 1767.

Besides the castle, he ordered the construction of two theaters - and puppet opera, stables, house music and entertainment, as well as a small church. All this grandeur plan Miklos Second was to stay in the midst of a vast park, adorned with fountains and orange trees. And not only the castle itself was intended as a sort of Versailles - without waiting for the completion of construction on the estate began to carry out a variety of celebrations and events: masquerades, lush and colorful balls. Prince and forgot about hunting. Glory to the luxurious life of Esterhazy sold throughout Europe at that time. Thus, the historical figure of the Hungarian nobleman has much in common with the French nobles the same time.

From the outset, the vast castle built Ferted reigned holiday, similar to what is infinitely unfolding at Versailles in the French King Louis XIV. In 1790 the prince died and left without its founder and owner, Esterhazy Palace had begun to decline. Descendants nobleman moved to Eisenstadt. Art gallery with a treasure trove of the palace were taken there and in Vienna, came to a complete decline of the magnificent French and English gardens, and puppet theaters and opera houses were dissolved.

Thus, no one used the palace until the late 19th century. The family then returned to their Esterhazy Castle and tidied the building itself and the garden around it. The Second World War was a tragic moment in the life of the palace. Its interior was almost completely destroyed, and the castle turned into a military hospital and barracks with stables in the ceremonial hall.

1957 marked the beginning of a new restoration of the palace and soon Ferted castle was open to a wide range of visitors as the National Museum of Hungary.

To this day, the castle Ferted proudly bears the name "Hungarian Versailles". But despite such a comparison in the architectural lines of the palace sharply striking Austrian theme. Pandusnaya staircase, ie has no steps, with a rich forging decorated with statues and lamps on both sides leads to the balcony located above the main entrance to the palace. The top floor of the castle is decorated with unique windows that are shaped cello. Particularly noteworthy horse gate of the main entrance to the palace. This masterpiece Smithing visitors hit the castle. Column separating gate decorated vases in the rococo style. Newly rebuilt and now a magnificent palace had 126 rooms, each of which demonstrated obsessive wealth of its owner - a rococo interior leaves a lasting impression. We should allocate a large banquet hall. The ceiling is decorated with the image of Apollo in his chariot. This image has amazing properties: whichever side you look at it, you will always seem like a chariot coming straight at you. Departing from the painted sky. Among the rooms of the palace there is also a large library with nearly 22,000 volumes. A music room and to this day is decorated with gilded walls. The largest room of the castle, decorated in fashionable 18th-century Italian style, this main room. He also decorated the ceiling and my drawing resembles a grotto. At this time, over the heads of the guests of the palace depicted dancing angels, spread their wreaths letter "E" - the first of the names of Esterhazy. Prince Nicholas II had a large collection of a variety of art and interior design: furniture, Venetian mirrors, tapestries, clocks and paintings.

Castle Ferted known fact that within its walls worked famous talented composer Joseph Haydn. He was invited by Miklos sparkles to work as Kapellmeister. Composer became the leader and organizer of musical life in the palace. Within the walls of the castle Joseph Haydn wrote six of their outstanding masses. Nowadays, one of the halls of the palace turned into a museum dedicated to the life of the famous musician during his tenure at Duke. Besides annually held in the palace and the International Music Week festival named Joseph Haydn. In the history of the castle has always remained the name of another prominent composer - Ludwig van Beethoven. 1807 he personally conducted the premiere of his new Mass in the palace of the Esterházy.