Sights of Fertőd

The Palace is the town's main attraction

The settlement gained the name Fertőd in 1950 upon the unification of two former Esterházy Estates, Süttör and Eszterháza. It was granted city status in 1995. Hungary's biggest Baroque palace was erected here by the Esterházy family in 1766.

Joseph Haydn was the director of the Esterházy family's orchestra from 1769. It was here that he wrote his famous Farewell' Symphony, which was performed in 1773 in the presence of the reigning Maria Theresa of Emperor of Austria, and Queen of Hungary.

The Palace endured many hardships during World War II and most of its furnishings were looted. The border crossing between Hungary's Fertőd and Austria's Pamhagen opened in 1990, increasing Fertőd's regional importance and attraction.

Esterházy Palace

One of Hungary's wealthiest aristocratic families, the Esterházys had their splendid palace, the 'Hungarian Versailles' built between 1720 and 1766.  Today the centre for Hungarian Haydn research is a museum and an important cultural venue.

Apart from the Baroque theatre, the building complex of this resplendent palace has remained intact. Much of the exhibitions in the museum housed here conjure up the building's heyday under Miklós Esterházy Fényes (1762-1790). Rich gold-plated halls, period wall paintings, lacquer plates brought from China, 18th-century furniture with embroidered upholstery and porcelain display the fashion of the period, befitting of a Baroque-Rococo princely court.

The great Austrian composer Joseph Haydn lived and worked here for nearly half of his active period, namely from 1766 until 1790. An exhibition and a room in the palace commemorates him, while concerts held in the summer and the plan for a Haydn Centre are to evoke the spirit of the era.

Palace Museum

Visitors may become familiar with the architectural and interior design characteristic of the 18th-century palaces of the aristocracy. An exhibition introduces the history of the lavish palace and its park, as well as the work of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809).

Among the luxurious furnishings brought from throughout the world, the then fashionable Chinese porcelain is worthy of special mention, along with the French and Flemish gobelin upholstered seating and various items of furniture decorated with marquetry.

The architectural history of the palace and its park is displayed in two rooms along with a collection of original faience ceramic stoves of the palace.

Three rooms house the exhibition introducing the works of Joseph Haydn. In addition to enjoying an opulent lifestyle and entertainment the Esterházy court also played a significant role in the contemporaneous musical life. Thanks to the efforts of Joseph Haydn - who spent the most productive of his creative years in the service of Duke Nicholas - operas, operettas and symphonies were born during this period in Esterháza, now called Fertőd. Thus the Haydn exhibit is a natural part of the palace's history.

Yardhouse

The 18th-century Baroque inn, the so-called 'Yardhouse', is a restaurant to this day. Built at the same time as the palace, this U-shaped building with arcades was designed to cater for the less distinguished guests.

The Yardhouse was formerly called the Lodging Inn (Beszálló vendéglő). Preceding Queen Maria Theresa's visit to the palace at Eszterháza in summer 1773, an inventory was also carried out in the Lodging Inn. According to the inventory, 22 people were employed by the business, there were eight bedrooms, a restaurant and eight music rooms on the first floor. The first floor bedrooms were reserved for the masters while their retinue was accommodated on the ground floor.

House of Music

Working for decades for the lord of the palace, Prince Miklós Esterházy, composer Joseph Haydn once lived in this 18th-century Baroque building. There is a furnished memorial room here in his honour.

On the facade of this delicate house a bronze relief by sculptor Jenő Bory signifies that in a three-room, first floor apartment Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) lived and worked along with the other musicians and singers commissioned by the Esterházy family. Thus the name of the building - the House of Music.

Aside from the Haydn Memorial Room in the House of Music, a local history collection is also housed here along with other institutes.

Accommodation in Fertőd:

 http://www.hungaryrooms.com/hotels/Fertőd/

Map of Fertőd:

 http://www.hungaryrooms.com/map/Fertőd/