- Written by: Noémi Vizi
- Photos: Soós Bertalan
- Reading time: 5 minutes
The Nádasdy Castle, evoking the Tudor style, as a symbol of respect for ancestors and marital devotion
The name Nádasdy had already become well-known in political and public circles during the 16th and 17th centuries. Tamás Nádasdy (1498–1562) was the person who established the family’s financial foundation, and thanks to his extensive network of connections, the family rose among the country’s most respected aristocratic families. He held the position of Palatine of Hungary, and through his marriage to Orsolya Kanizsai, who was only 14 years old at the time and had become an orphan after the Battle of Mohács, he gained significant estates. By the middle of the 16th century, the Nádasdy family had become one of the most influential noble families in Hungary. Tamás Nádasdy’s son, Ferenc (1555–1604), gained recognition through his military achievements. His wife was Erzsébet Báthory, and their son Pál (1597–1633) served as captain-general of the Transdanubian military district. His son, Ferenc (1623–1671), became famous due to his involvement in the Wesselényi conspiracy (he was sentenced to execution by beheading in 1671), although he had already enjoyed a distinguished career: from 1655 he served as Judge Royal, from 1662 he was a member of the Privy Council of the Habsburg Monarchy, and from 1667 he also held the position of royal governor.
Jumping forward half a century, we arrive at Sárszentmiklós, more precisely at the estate of Sárszentmiklós (in present-day Fejér County). A Baroque-style manor house stood on this land, built in 1738 by the Schmidegg family, who had been granted the title of count. Count Lipót Nádasdy (1802–1873) purchased the estate and moved his residence here. However, the idea arose to rename the settlement, thereby indicating whose “domain” visitors were entering. Using his connections, he initiated the renaming process, which was approved by the Minister of the Interior in 1859.
Thus, Lipót Nádasdy acquired the estate, and shortly afterwards his son Ferenc (1842–1907) began construction. Together with his wife, Countess Ilona Zichy, he began envisioning the castle, whose design was entrusted to István Linzbauer. The Tudor-style building, inspired by English castles, was constructed between 1873 and 1876. After Linzbauer’s death, Alajos Hauszmann completed the plans; the Hall of Ancestors, the library and the chapel are connected to his name. Unfortunately, the young countess did not live to see the day when she could move into the new residence with her family. Shortly after the birth of their fourth child, she died of cholera at the age of only 24. However, her husband remained faithful to Ilona until his death, and he furnished the castle according to the vision they had created together.
The castle was equipped with the most modern innovations of the era, including a sewage system, hot-air heating, gas lighting, later electric lighting, and even a speaking-tube communication system (a predecessor of the telephone). The bathrooms were supplied with water stored in a cast-iron tank located in the castle’s crenellated tower.
The guiding principles behind the castle’s design rested on three pillars: it was intended to commemorate the ancestors of the Nádasdy family; to express respect for Ilona Zichy, who had died young; and to incorporate motifs connected to hunting, which played an important role in Ferenc Nádasdy’s life.
The count was an enthusiastic hunter. In the second half of the 19th century, the hunting events he organised were famous throughout the country – and, moreover, they were important social occasions for the aristocracy. In 1881, he founded the Hungarian National Hunting Protection Association, which remains an important organisation today. His other great passion was Lake Balaton. As vice-president of the Balaton Association, he played an important role in promoting sailing on the lake.
Returning to the castle, it was surrounded by a magnificent 20-hectare park, which was transformed into an English landscape garden between 1875 and 1894. The park was first maintained under the direction of János Kálmán, and later, from 1894 to 1911, by János Berger. The park also featured a lake, and a water tower was built on a hill to provide water supply for the estate. In the middle of the lake there was a small island, accessible via a little bridge. The wooded areas were composed of pine trees, yews and lime trees, which concealed the palm house and the peasant house from curious eyes. This was where the children played, whom Ferenc Nádasdy raised with the help of his late wife’s mother. In addition, a church was built in the northwestern corner of the estate and was consecrated in 1885.
Turning to the interior spaces, one of the most magnificent rooms is perhaps the Hall of Ancestors. Here, full-length portraits of the Nádasdy ancestors can be seen – paintings that were not taken away by the German occupying forces in December 1944. Wrought-iron chandeliers, painted glass windows and wooden furniture have survived to this day. The ceiling of the library was decorated with a coffered design. It offers a truly spectacular sight during a visit.
Count Ferenc Nádasdy spent a considerable amount of money on the construction and furnishing of the castle: 554,000 forints. At that time, this amount would have been enough to build a three-storey apartment building in Budapest. In fact, he did build one, at the corner of József körút, number 35, in the rapidly developing district of the time. Its designer was Alajos Hauszmann, who later became the architect of the Royal Palace of Buda Castle. These business ventures helped finance the aristocratic lifestyle and supplemented the income of the estate. He was a true businessman: he served on the supervisory boards of financial institutions, and peat was discovered on the Nádasdy estate, which he then traded.
A visit to the reconstructed castle, opened in 2021, takes visitors back into the world of 19th-century aristocracy. During the guided tour, guests are introduced to the history of the castle and the Nádasdy family. They can walk among historically accurate furnishings, read contemporary newspapers from a comfortable armchair, or even try the speaking tube system. It is a perfect destination for both families and individual visitors seeking a unique cultural experience.
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2https://nadasdladanyikastely.hu/csaladtortenet/
3https://nadasdladanyikastely.hu/kastelytortenet/
5https://nadasdladanyikastely.hu/kastelytortenet/
6http://nkvp.hu/erdekessegek/az-orok-szerelem-kastelya-a-nadasdy-kastely/
7https://kirandulastippek.hu/bakony-veszprem/nadasdladany-nadasdy-kastely
10https://nadasdladanyikastely.hu/szolgaltatasok/kastelykert/
