Schloss Esterházy facts for kids
Schloss Esterházy is a beautiful palace located in Eisenstadt, Austria. This city is the capital of the Burgenland state. The palace was first built in the late 1200s. In 1622, it became the property of the powerful Esterházy family from Hungary.
Under Paul I, 1st Prince Esterházy of Galántha, the building was changed into a grand baroque castle. For over 300 years, it was the main home and office for the Esterházy family. The famous composer Joseph Haydn worked here for most of his life.
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A Palace Through Time
The story of Schloss Esterházy is about how a strong medieval castle, built for defense, became a fancy palace. It was designed for comfort and to show off wealth. The moats (water ditches around the castle) were removed in the early 1800s. The palace's style changed many times to fit what people liked back then.
Early Days of the Palace
- 1364: The palace became owned by the strong Kanizsai family. They helped it grow a lot.
- 1371: King Louis bought the castle. He made it a "medieval city castle." It became part of the northwest edge of the city of Kismarton (now Eisenstadt).
- 1622: The Esterházy family took ownership of the palace.
Building the Baroque Palace (1663–1672)
After Count Ladislaus Esterházy died in a battle in 1652, his younger brother Paul I, 1st Prince Esterházy of Galántha inherited the palace. He added many new parts to it. These changes took almost ten years to finish. They gave the palace the look we see today. An Italian artist named Andrea Bertinalli created the rich stucco decorations.
Changes in the 1700s
Not many big changes happened during the high and late baroque times. In the 1700s, mostly the inside design and staircases were updated. Most rooms got furnaces and stucco ceilings. The only large building work was making the two main staircases new. They still look the same today.
The palace was one of the summer homes for the Esterházy family. This was during the time when Joseph Haydn worked for them.
The Classical Makeover
Prince Anton Esterházy built a lot, even though he was in charge for only a short time (1790–1794).
His son, Nikolaus II, loved to spend money. He started a plan to change the palace into the Classical style. Nikolaus hired Charles Moreau, a famous French architect. Moreau wanted to keep only the middle of the building in its baroque style. He planned to greatly update and add to the palace in a classical way.
The east side would have a theater and opera house. The west side would hold the Esterházy art gallery. Between the two north towers, a garden hall would become the amazing Haydnsaal we see today. Moreau also designed a grand entrance with large ramps. It was meant to have twenty Corinthian columns.
However, Prince Nikolaus's money, even though he had a lot, was not enough to finish these changes. He spent a lot on his lifestyle, art, and helping Austria in the Napoleonic wars. Also, there was a lot of inflation and economic problems. Because of this, the renovations were never completed. The grand entrance Nikolaus and Moreau planned was never built. The main entrance to the palace is still in its original spot, facing the town.
Later Years of the Palace
In the late 1800s, some renovation work finally began. Few changes were made in the early 1900s. In 1945, at the end of World War II, the palace's use changed a lot. It became the office for the Burgenland state government. Later, it was used as the national court for ten years. In 1969, the Burgenland state government leased (rented) large parts of the building.
Schloss Esterházy Today
Today, the palace is owned by the Esterházy Foundation. This foundation was started by Melinda Esterházy (1920–2014). It is one of the most important palaces in Austria. It is a very popular place for tourists to visit.
Visitors can see many rooms, old furniture, and beautiful artwork. They can also explore the large gardens behind the palace. There is a wine museum and a gift shop. Guided tours are available, and concerts are held in the famous Haydnsaal.
The Haydnsaal
The Haydnsaal is a true work of art within Schloss Esterházy. It was originally a large room used for festivals and banquets. Its size and fancy decorations show how powerful and important the Esterházy family was.
Today, it is known as one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world. It also has amazing acoustics, meaning sound travels very well. Its name comes from the famous composer Joseph Haydn. He worked for the Esterházy family for almost forty years. Many of his musical pieces were written and first performed in Kismarton and at Schloss Esterházy.
The Haydnsaal was built under Paul Esterházy the First. This happened during the baroque building phase (1663–1672). It was part of plans made by Carlo Martino Carlone from Italy. His plans covered most of the northern wing of the palace. The hall stretches over three floors. On the side facing the courtyard, three windows are placed one above the other.
In 1803, during the classical changes, the Garden Room was added along the north side in front of the Haydnsaal. The windows that were there before were bricked up. Friedrich Rhode, the court painter, decorated the empty spaces with Biedermeier-style designs. Openings were made in the walls at both the east and west ends. These were closed off by two large alcoves. They were meant to be entrances to the planned opera/theater wing and gallery section.
Later, two galleries were built. They were supported by four wooden columns with palm leaf designs at the top. Two large candle holders, called girandoles, decorate the east wall of the grand hall.
The unique paintings on the hall's ceiling are from the 1600s. They are believed to be by the painter Carpoforo Tencalla. These beautiful murals and ceiling paintings show scenes from "Metamorphoses." This is a book by the Roman writer and philosopher Apuleius (around 200 AD). The three middle parts and six rectangular panels show scenes from the story "Cupid and Psyche." The middle panels show Cupid and Psyche getting married. The Olympic Gods are there to watch. Scenes from their lives are shown in the rectangular panels.
The cross-shaped panels show scenes from the myth of the "Golden Apples of Hesperides." Between the ceiling paintings, you can see the Esterházy family's coats of arms. These show the family's history and alliances. Round medallions on the walls use a special painting style called grisaille (using shades of grey). These show female characters that represent the "Countries of St. Stephen's Crown."
The medallions decorating the walls were painted by Friedrich Rohde in 1793. They show busts (head and shoulders statues) of Hungarian kings. These range from Stephen I to Emperor Leopold I. The 18 sandstone busts on the main outside of the palace are part of the same series.
Images for kids
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Red Salon; the portrait on the wall is of the Esterházy prince Paul Anton II
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Inner courtyard of the palace
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Entrance gate
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Former stables, opposite the palace on the plaza
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Orangerie in the palace grounds
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In 1807 Prince Nikolaus's artist Albert Christoph Dies painted the view from the rear entrance, including the Leopoldinentempel. The view is similar today though more heavily wooded.
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Leopoldinentempel today
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Front view of palace from plaza
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Silver dishes
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Mirror table
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Haydnsaal ceiling
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Princess Maria Josepha Hermenegildis of Liechtenstein by Johann Georg Weikert, 1784. The wife of Nikolaus II, she was a friend and supporter of Haydn, who wrote his last six masses in celebration of her name day.
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See Also
- List of Baroque residences
In Spanish: Palacio Esterházy (Eisenstadt) para niños
