Schloss Esterhazy

Schloss Esterhazy (also known as Chateau Esterhazy or Chateau Galanta), is a Neo-Gothic chateau in Galanta, southwestern Slovak built in 1633 by the Hungarian noble family Esterhaz. Nowadays the dilapidated chateau is being reconstructed by volunteers from the town sponsored by the deputy of mayor.

The family "Esterhazy" had a major role in the history of the town. They built several buildings. The most important one was the chateau, originally designed as a Renaissance fortress-like residence, from the year 1633.

The building was designed by the brothers Daniel and Pavol Esterhazy. Construction started in 1633, during the first large economic expansion of the family.

Another member of the family Imrich, a bishop from Nitra, had it reconstructed in Baroque style in 1736. Only marble fireplaces have been preserved from this reconstruction It was given its present neo-Gothic appearance inspired by English Gothic in 1861.The latest and most radical modernisation was in 1861 based on romantic English Gothic style

The chateau is a monumental building with a U-shaped ground plan. The side wings create a closed courtyard. The two storeyed entrance wing used to be residential. There is a ceremonial staircase leading into the main rooms on the first floor. The side wings used to be farm houses.

The original U-shaped ground plan has been partially preserved until today. The right wing has been separated from the main one and completely reconstructed.

Both of the side wings have escalated frontage, each level is decorated with profiled quatrafoil and a little roof over it. The shape of the frontage copies the shape of a saddle roof, whilst it is taller and makes the wings appear more monumental than they actually are. It may appear that the side wings were not jointed to the main wing in the first place since the profilation of the frontage is repeated on the other side of the side wings facing the main wing just a couple of meters far from it. Since the side wings were originally used as stable there are only three small front windows in a row, centrally placed on the wall. All the windows are exactly alike; with a pointed arch on the top and no extra decoration.

The main wing is now being reconstructed since it was in almost fatal condition. The wing is a two storied residence with one dominating feature – a four storied tower on the west side.

Text adapted from “Schloss Esterhazy (Galanta)” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Schloss Esterhazy ranks #7,207 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #107 of the 136 mapped in Slovakia. Founded 1633, it is older than 29% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 580 atlas entries founded in the 17th century. 1 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Trnava, 23 km away. See how Slovakia compares in the castle statistics.

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Read the full history on Wikipedia ↗