Schloss Esterházy
Encyclopedia
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The Schloss Esterházy is a palace
in Eisenstadt
, Austria
, the capital of the Burgenland
state. It was constructed in the late 13th century, and came under ownership of the Hungarian Esterházy family in 1622. Under Paul I, 1st Prince Esterházy of Galántha
the estate was converted into a baroque castle which remained the principal residence and center of administration of the family for over 300 years.
The palace is currently under the ownership of Esterházy Foundation. The palace offers a wine cellar, gift shop, guided tours, and concerts in the famous Haydnsaal as well as the large garden on the back.
1371 King Louis acquires and develops the castle into a "medieval city castle" included in the northwest perimeter of the city of Eisenstadt.
1622 Ownership falls under the possession of the Esterházy family.
inherited the palace.
The additions he made to the palace took nearly ten years to complete, and gave it the facade we see today.
The rich stucco decoration was made by the Italian master Andrea Bertinalli.
periods. In the 18th century, the interior design and staircases were about all that changed. Most areas were equipped with furnaces and stucco
ceilings. The only large construction work in the palace was the renewal of the two main staircases, which are presently the same.
The palace was one of the summer residences of the Esterházy family during the time of Joseph Haydn
.
built considerably, despite his being in power for only a short time (1790–1794).
Under Nikolaus II, son of Anton, the residence was converted into styles of classicism
. Nikolaus succeeded in acquiring the services of one of the best known French architects of the classical revolution, Charles Moreau. Moreau wanted to keep only the core of the building in baroque
style, and extensively renovate and add to the palace in classical style.
The eastern side would accommodate the theatre and the opera, the western the Esterházy picture gallery. Between the two north towers the garden hall would be the forerunner to today's magnificent Haydnsaal. As an entrance to this hall, Moreau built a powerful entrance with spacious ramps on each end, resting on twenty Corinthian
columns. Moreau also established a set of the different "high society" rooms; many with different styles.
In 1809 lack of funds caused the renovation plans to be drastically reduced. The large indebtedness of the prince due to the Napoleonic wars as well as the grandiose lifestyle of the court did not permit building parts of the palace. In the late 19th Century renovation work finally began.
state government and later the national court were accommodated in the palace for ten years. In 1969 the Burgenland state government took over major parts of the building through lease.
The Haydnsaal, originally the large multi-purpose festival and banquet room, is a piece of artwork in itself in the Schloss Esterházy. With its size and ornate splendor, it reflects the political, economic and cultural dominance of the Esterházy family.
Today it ranks among the most beautiful and acoustically perfect concert halls of the world. Its name goes back to the famous composer Joseph Haydn
, who worked for nearly forty years in the service of the Esterházy family. Many of his works composed and premiered in Eisenstadt
and the Schloss Esterházy.
The Haydnsaal was established under Paul Esterházy the first, in the course of the baroque
building phase (1663 - 1672). It was part of plans made by Carlo Martino Carlone, originating from Italy
, which covered the largest part of the northern wing. It extends over three stories, whereby the side facing to the courtyard three windows are poised one above the other.
At the beginning of the classical change period, 1803, the Garden Room extended along the north side in front of the Haydnsaal. The windows previously installed there were bricked up. Friedrich Rhode, the court painter, decorated the remaining recesses with Biedermeier-style festoons. Masonry wall openings were provided at both the east and west ends, sealed off by two large alcoves, and served as access ways to the planned opera/theatre wing and gallery section.
Subsequently two galleries were erected supported on four wooden columns headed by palm capitals. Two girandoles (candle holders) adorn the east wall of the magnificent hall.
The unique frescoes of the hall originate from that 17th century and are attributed to the painter Carpoforo Tencalla
. The splendid murals and ceiling paintings represent scenes from "Metamorphoses" by the Roman
poet and philosopher Apuleius
(200 AD). The three centre segments and six rectangular volute panels portray scenes from the satyric novel "Cupid and Psyche". The centre panels depict the marriage of Cupid and Psyche
in the presence of the Olympic Gods, while scenes taken from the lives of the two are captured in the rectangular panels.
Depicted in the cruciform volute panels are scenes taken from the myth surrounding the "Golden Apples of Hesperides". Interspaced between the ceiling frescoes are the family armorial bearings of the Esterházys (earls and alliances). Worked into the volute medallions featuring grisaille techniques are allegorical female characters symbolising the "Countries of St. Stephen's Crown".
The medallions embellishing the walls (court painter Friedrich Rohde, 1793) portray busts of Hungarian monarchs ranging from Stephen I to Emperor Leopold I. The 18 sandstone busts seen on the main façade form part of the same series.
The Schloss Esterházy is a palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
in Eisenstadt
Eisenstadt
- Politics :The current mayor of Eisenstadt is Andrea Fraunschiel ÖVP.The district council is composed as follows :* ÖVP: 17 seats* SPÖ: 8 seats* Austrian Green Party: 2 seats* FPÖ: 2 seats- Castles and palaces :...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, the capital of the Burgenland
Burgenland
Burgenland is the easternmost and least populous state or Land of Austria. It consists of two Statutarstädte and seven districts with in total 171 municipalities. It is 166 km long from north to south but much narrower from west to east...
state. It was constructed in the late 13th century, and came under ownership of the Hungarian Esterházy family in 1622. Under Paul I, 1st Prince Esterházy of Galántha
Paul I, 1st Prince Esterházy of Galántha
Paul I, Prince Esterházy of Galántha was the first Prince Esterházy of Galántha from 1687 to 1713, Palatine of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1681 to 1713, and an Imperial Field Marshal...
the estate was converted into a baroque castle which remained the principal residence and center of administration of the family for over 300 years.
The palace is currently under the ownership of Esterházy Foundation. The palace offers a wine cellar, gift shop, guided tours, and concerts in the famous Haydnsaal as well as the large garden on the back.
Early history
1364 The palace comes into the possession of the powerful Kanizsai family and consequently experiences a substantial development.1371 King Louis acquires and develops the castle into a "medieval city castle" included in the northwest perimeter of the city of Eisenstadt.
1622 Ownership falls under the possession of the Esterházy family.
The Baroque building phase (1633–1672)
After the death of Count Ladislaus Esterházy in the battle of Vezekény in 1652, his younger brother PaulPaul I, 1st Prince Esterházy of Galántha
Paul I, Prince Esterházy of Galántha was the first Prince Esterházy of Galántha from 1687 to 1713, Palatine of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1681 to 1713, and an Imperial Field Marshal...
inherited the palace.
The additions he made to the palace took nearly ten years to complete, and gave it the facade we see today.
The rich stucco decoration was made by the Italian master Andrea Bertinalli.
18th century changes
There were few changes made during the high and late baroqueBaroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
periods. In the 18th century, the interior design and staircases were about all that changed. Most areas were equipped with furnaces and stucco
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
ceilings. The only large construction work in the palace was the renewal of the two main staircases, which are presently the same.
The palace was one of the summer residences of the Esterházy family during the time of Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
.
The Classical building phase
Prince Anton EsterházyAnton (Antal), Fürst Esterházy de Galántha
Anton , Prince Esterházy de Galántha was a prince of Hungary, a member of the wealthy Esterházy family.-Life:...
built considerably, despite his being in power for only a short time (1790–1794).
Under Nikolaus II, son of Anton, the residence was converted into styles of classicism
Classicism
Classicism, in the arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seek to emulate. The art of classicism typically seeks to be formal and restrained: of the Discobolus Sir Kenneth Clark observed, "if we object to his restraint...
. Nikolaus succeeded in acquiring the services of one of the best known French architects of the classical revolution, Charles Moreau. Moreau wanted to keep only the core of the building in baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style, and extensively renovate and add to the palace in classical style.
The eastern side would accommodate the theatre and the opera, the western the Esterházy picture gallery. Between the two north towers the garden hall would be the forerunner to today's magnificent Haydnsaal. As an entrance to this hall, Moreau built a powerful entrance with spacious ramps on each end, resting on twenty Corinthian
Corinthian order
The Corinthian order is one of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The other two are the Doric and Ionic. When classical architecture was revived during the Renaissance, two more orders were added to the canon, the Tuscan order and the Composite order...
columns. Moreau also established a set of the different "high society" rooms; many with different styles.
In 1809 lack of funds caused the renovation plans to be drastically reduced. The large indebtedness of the prince due to the Napoleonic wars as well as the grandiose lifestyle of the court did not permit building parts of the palace. In the late 19th Century renovation work finally began.
Modern building phase
Few changes were made in the early part of the 20th century. Then in 1945 a major change was made in the purpose of the palace. After the Second World War, the office of the BurgenlandBurgenland
Burgenland is the easternmost and least populous state or Land of Austria. It consists of two Statutarstädte and seven districts with in total 171 municipalities. It is 166 km long from north to south but much narrower from west to east...
state government and later the national court were accommodated in the palace for ten years. In 1969 the Burgenland state government took over major parts of the building through lease.
The Haydnsaal
Today it ranks among the most beautiful and acoustically perfect concert halls of the world. Its name goes back to the famous composer Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
, who worked for nearly forty years in the service of the Esterházy family. Many of his works composed and premiered in Eisenstadt
Eisenstadt
- Politics :The current mayor of Eisenstadt is Andrea Fraunschiel ÖVP.The district council is composed as follows :* ÖVP: 17 seats* SPÖ: 8 seats* Austrian Green Party: 2 seats* FPÖ: 2 seats- Castles and palaces :...
and the Schloss Esterházy.
The Haydnsaal was established under Paul Esterházy the first, in the course of the baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
building phase (1663 - 1672). It was part of plans made by Carlo Martino Carlone, originating from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, which covered the largest part of the northern wing. It extends over three stories, whereby the side facing to the courtyard three windows are poised one above the other.
At the beginning of the classical change period, 1803, the Garden Room extended along the north side in front of the Haydnsaal. The windows previously installed there were bricked up. Friedrich Rhode, the court painter, decorated the remaining recesses with Biedermeier-style festoons. Masonry wall openings were provided at both the east and west ends, sealed off by two large alcoves, and served as access ways to the planned opera/theatre wing and gallery section.
Subsequently two galleries were erected supported on four wooden columns headed by palm capitals. Two girandoles (candle holders) adorn the east wall of the magnificent hall.
The unique frescoes of the hall originate from that 17th century and are attributed to the painter Carpoforo Tencalla
Carpoforo Tencalla
Carpoforo Tencalla Carpoforo Tencalla Carpoforo Tencalla (or Tencala (10 September 1623 - 9 March 1685) was an influential Swiss-Italian Baroque painter of canvases and frescoes. He is little studied and has come only recently to the attention of art critics...
. The splendid murals and ceiling paintings represent scenes from "Metamorphoses" by the Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
poet and philosopher Apuleius
Apuleius
Apuleius was a Latin prose writer. He was a Berber, from Madaurus . He studied Platonist philosophy in Athens; travelled to Italy, Asia Minor and Egypt; and was an initiate in several cults or mysteries. The most famous incident in his life was when he was accused of using magic to gain the...
(200 AD). The three centre segments and six rectangular volute panels portray scenes from the satyric novel "Cupid and Psyche". The centre panels depict the marriage of Cupid and Psyche
Cupid and Psyche
Cupid and Psyche , is a legend that first appeared as a digressionary story told by an old woman in Lucius Apuleius' novel, The Golden Ass, written in the 2nd century CE. Apuleius likely used an earlier tale as the basis for his story, modifying it to suit the thematic needs of his novel.It has...
in the presence of the Olympic Gods, while scenes taken from the lives of the two are captured in the rectangular panels.
Depicted in the cruciform volute panels are scenes taken from the myth surrounding the "Golden Apples of Hesperides". Interspaced between the ceiling frescoes are the family armorial bearings of the Esterházys (earls and alliances). Worked into the volute medallions featuring grisaille techniques are allegorical female characters symbolising the "Countries of St. Stephen's Crown".
The medallions embellishing the walls (court painter Friedrich Rohde, 1793) portray busts of Hungarian monarchs ranging from Stephen I to Emperor Leopold I. The 18 sandstone busts seen on the main façade form part of the same series.