Description of the attraction
The Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt is one of the most beautiful Baroque palaces in Austria and is a unique testament to the glittering life of the Esterhazy family. Today, the palace is still the center of cultural life and regularly hosts various celebrations and events.
Built in the thirteenth century, the palace was constantly being remodeled. In 1649, the castle passed into the hands of the Esterhazy family, and remained the main residence of the family for over 300 years.
After the death of Vladislav Count Esterhazy at the Battle of Weseken in 1652, his younger brother Paul inherited the castle. The old castle clearly did not correspond to his plan for a great and dignified place of residence, so he began reconstruction in 1663, which lasted until 1672. The work was entrusted to the architect Carlo Martino Carlone from Como in Lombardy.
The next major changes took place in the 18th century. Externally, the palace remained practically unchanged, but new floors, stoves, stairs and stucco ceilings were made inside.
For the third time, the changes were made by Nicholas II, son of Prince Anton Esterhazy. He had great ambitions to make his residence in the classical revival style, and for this purpose the Frenchman Charles Moreau, one of the most famous architects of revolutionary neoclassicism, was invited. Moreau wanted to keep the Baroque style only in the center. All of his planned expansions tripled the length of the palace. Reconstruction began from the garden side in 1803.
1945 brought a radical change in the function of the palace. During the years of occupation after World War II, the Burgenland government and then the district court were housed in the palace for the next ten years. The palace is today the main cultural monument in Burgenland.
The Heidnzaal concert hall is considered the pearl of the palace. Today it is recognized as one of the most beautiful and outstanding concert halls in the world, primarily due to its acoustics. Its name goes back to the famous composer Joseph Haydn, who was in the service of the Esterhazy family for nearly forty years.
