- Noémi Vizi
- Photos: Prepared on behalf of Vöröskő Villa
- Reading time: 2 minutes
The Former Keszler Villa in Balatonalmádi, Today Welcoming Guests as the Vöröskő Villa
In Balatonalmádi stands a special villa built from red stone, which immediately catches the eye from afar. In this article, we explore the fascinating history of the former Keszler Villa. Winemaking, art, a military command headquarters, attempted eviction, abandonment, and finally its transformation into a tourism gem – this is the story of Vöröskő Villa in short. But let us look behind the scenes.
The Keszler Villa was named after Lajos Pásztor’s maternal grandfather, who built it in the 1920s or 1930s. Lajos’s great-grandparents operated a tavern in Celldömölk, which at the time was considered one of the centres of cultural life. This successful investment brought significant returns, and the income from its sale enabled Lajos’s father to purchase a plot of land in Balatonalmádi, which at that time was still a quiet small settlement with only a few houses. The man, who worked as a stationmaster in Szentgotthárd, loved gardening and was also interested in winemaking. He spent every free moment at the holiday home, gradually planting vines over the years, which allowed him to learn the art of wine production. As cultural life developed and dance events were organised in the cafés along the lakeshore, friendships and romances blossomed – including the meeting of Lajos’s parents. The villa, which had by then become a permanent home, slowly filled with family life, while the garden and vineyard continued to be carefully maintained. It became a true family tradition, and as a result, in the 1950s and 1960s, Lajos’s uncle even organised wine tastings in the wine cellar of the villa.
During the Second World War, Lajos’s father served as a soldier, while the rest of the family remained in Balatonalmádi. As the front approached, they decided to flee. They travelled west by train, but the train was hit by a bombing attack, forcing them to continue their journey on foot towards Germany. The fate of the Keszler Villa was sealed. It was used as accommodation for both German and Soviet military headquarters, which meant that nothing remained of the original furnishings. Everything was burned or destroyed. When the family returned in 1946, they had to rebuild their lives almost from nothing and restore their former home. This long and difficult process began with the help of neighbours. The situation was made even more difficult because Lajos’s father had previously served as a military officer, and therefore he was not allowed to obtain a permanent job. He could only support his family and finance the renovation of the villa through occasional work
Further difficulties arose when the family was repeatedly threatened with eviction and the loss of their home, as authorities planned to move new residents to Balatonalmádi. Fortunately, their situation took a positive turn: at a local committee meeting, a young man stood up for them, and as a result, they avoided being displaced. The newly secured future also brought the division of the property into separate living areas, allowing several generations of the family to continue living together. Lajos lived with his parents in the so-called Secretary’s Apartment, while his uncle occupied the President’s Apartment. Lajos loved painting and playing the piano. He was talented, although he never had the opportunity to receive formal training in these fields. He also shared a fond childhood memory with us: during the intense storms around Lake Balaton, the basement often filled with water, and the children would play and “sail” around in small tubs.
As family members gradually moved away, maintaining the former Keszler Villa and caring for the enormous garden became increasingly difficult. Lajos and his niece agreed that as long as they were both alive, the Balatonalmádi villa would remain in their ownership. After his niece’s death, Lajos was no longer able to maintain the property alone. The villa stood empty, its condition deteriorated, and eventually he decided to sell it.
The new owners dreamed of creating Vöröskő Villa, which now operates as a tourist accommodation and welcomes guests with three apartments. During the reconstruction, special attention was paid to preserving as many original details as possible while also adapting the building to modern expectations, ensuring that visitors experience their stay as a truly relaxing and comfortable retreat. An interesting fact is that the villa is also recognised as one of the stops on the Balatonalmádi Villa Tour. It is well worth dedicating a few hours to visiting the different locations of this architectural walk and admiring these beautiful 20th-century villas.
