Esterházy Palace, Fertőd
Esterházy-kastély (Fertőd)
Known as the 'Hungarian Versailles', this Rococo palace is where Haydn served as court music director for nearly three decades. It is part of the Fertő/Neusiedlersee World Heritage cultural landscape.
Esterházy Palace stands in the town of Fertőd, about 27 km east of Sopron. Built in the 18th century by Prince Nicholas Esterházy 'the Magnificent', the horseshoe-shaped yellow palace with its French garden is the largest Rococo palace in Hungary and forms part of the Fertő/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site. Joseph Haydn served as court music director here for nearly 30 years, composing many symphonies and operas. Guided tours include the gilded Great Hall, the music room, the Chinese Room and the prince's private chambers, and Haydn concerts are often held in summer. Admission is 4,000–6,000 forints. The palace is closed on Mondays, with some areas open in summer. It is about 30 minutes by car from Sopron, and long-distance buses also serve the town.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00 (shorter in winter; often closed Mondays)
Nearby sights
- Széchenyi Palace, Nagycenk
- Lake Fertő (Neusiedler See)
- Fertőrákos Quarry & Cave Theatre
- Rust
- St. Michael's Church
- Pan-European Picnic Memorial Park
- Central Mining Museum
- City Walls & Várkerület