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52-418: The architectural history of the building involves a transition from an actual medieval castle, built for defense, to a palace meant for comfort and ostentatious display. The moats were removed in the early 19th century, and the architectural style was modified at various points to fit the taste of the times. 1364: The palace comes into the possession of the powerful Kanizsai family and consequently experiences

104-399: A patron of music. In 1728, his mother Maria Octavia, "probably at her son's instigation" engaged the composer Gregor Werner to be the family's Kapellmeister (music director), a post in which Werner served for several decades. Much later (1761), Paul Anton engaged Joseph Haydn to be his Vice-Kapellmeister in 1761, taking over most of the aging Werner's duties. At the same time, he upgraded

156-615: A result of their ethnicity) and German (as they were aristocrats of the Austrian Empire). Esterházys living in parts of the Kingdom of Hungary where other languages were spoken by the population also spoke those languages, especially Slavic languages in Slavic areas. Some family members went by both Hungarian and (rather distinct) German names. Thus, Antal Pál (Hungarian) was the same person as Paul Anton (German), and József Miklós

208-458: 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 Kismarton. 1622: Ownership falls under the possession of the Esterházy family. After the death of Count Ladislaus Esterházy in the battle of Vezekény in 1652, his younger brother Paul I, 1st Prince Esterházy of Bum Bum inherited

260-590: The Haydnsaal . 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

312-896: The Middle Ages . From the 17th century, the Esterházys were the greatest landowner magnates of the Kingdom of Hungary , during the time that it was part of the Habsburg monarchy and later Austria-Hungary . During the history of the Habsburg Empire, the Esterházy family were consistently loyal to the Habsburg rulers. The Esterházys received the title of Graf (Count) in 1626, and the Forchtenstein line received

364-572: The Roman Catholic Church and the Habsburg Emperor, the latter factor being the most important. A consistent theme of Hungarian history was an ardent and sometimes violent wish to become free of Austrian rule, a wish that was finally fulfilled at the end of World War I . The Esterházy princes were consistently loyal to the Habsburg monarchy, on several occasions rendered vital services to it in times of crisis. These included

416-418: The coat of arms and title of his mother and the full surname of the family became Eszterházy de Galántha , Galanta being a small town east of Bratislava ( Hungarian : Pozsony , German : Pressburg ), now capital of Slovakia . The family rose to prominence under Count Nikolaus Esterházy (1583–1645) and his son, Prince Paul Esterházy (1635–1713). In the 17th century, after Nikolaus' acquisitions,

468-421: The siege of Vienna in 1683. He also played an important role in suppressing the autonomy of the existing Hungarian nobility. The line that descended from Paul, the first Esterházy prince, is given as in the following figure. The sequence of princes that follow him continues below. Son of Paul, he was the first to benefit from a 1712 decree of Emperor Charles VI , which made the title of Prince hereditary among

520-468: 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. 47°50′55″N 16°31′15″E  /  47.84861°N 16.52083°E  / 47.84861; 16.52083 Louis I of Hungary Too Many Requests If you report this error to

572-580: The 20th century) in 1687 by the Emperor. Paul was a poet, a harpsichordist , and a composer; a number of his cantatas survive; see Harmonia Caelestis . He also wrote a number of religious works. Under Paul the palace in Eisenstadt was rebuilt. Paul served as commander of troops in southern Hungary, during the struggle against the Turks, starting in 1667, and his troops were among the coalition that raised

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624-618: The Commanders Cross of the Order of St. Stephen. His corps was later absorbed into other military formations. He was Colonel and Proprietor (Inhaber) of the 31st Infantry Regiment, from November 1777 to October 1780, and then Proprietor and Colonel of the 34th Infantry Regiment, from September 1780 until his death. He was initiated to the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1790, and also became an imperial Chamberlain . He disbanded

676-650: The Esterházy family. At the end of the First World War , the Austro-Hungarian Empire was split up, and the family's land holdings thus came to be located in several different countries. In 1938, the legal instrument of fideicommiss , which had allowed families to hold property in foundations owned by the whole family, but governed by the head of the family alone, was abolished in Austria (aristocratic families had used this instrument to finance

728-547: The Esterházy musical establishment for the duration of his reign. Born in Vienna, on 12 December 1765, he was the son of Anton and his first wife Maria Theresia. He became reigning Prince on the death of his father in 1794. Like several of his predecessors Nikolaus II pursued a military career. He is remembered for his amassing a large art collection, for his musical patronage of Haydn and Beethoven , for his sexual debauchery, and for his high expenditures. Ultimately these led to

780-658: The Esterházy-Forchtenstein estates were unequal to the burden of supporting his fabulous extravagance and had to be placed in the hands of curators." Owing to financial trouble, Nikolaus III sold the family art collection "on generous terms" to the Austro-Hungarian state in 1870. The collection is, as a result, on public view today in the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest. The reign of Nikolaus IV

832-450: The Esterházys was Kismarton (today Eisenstadt , Austria ), since the heads of the family chose to make a castle in this tiny village their primary residence. A fortified stronghold had been built there in the 14th century; after the Esterházys acquired it they rebuilt it 1663–1672 to what is now the princely Schloss Esterházy . Their practical reason for choosing to create and maintain the princely court at Eisenstadt may have been that while

884-421: The Esterházys. Under him, the family seat at Eisenstadt evolved into a provincial musical center. He died 24 March 1721. Half-brother of Michael, he reigned for only 11 weeks, as he died on 7 June 1721. As his son Paul Anton was only ten, authority was assigned to two regents: Count Georg Erdödy , and his widow Maria Octavia von Gilleis (c. 1686 – 1762). The latter was responsible for introducing

936-546: The German language to the court. The eldest son of Joseph. In his youth he studied in Leyden and also served as a soldier, rising to the rank of Field Marshal. He served as imperial ambassador to Naples from 1750 to 1752, and traveled extensively. Paul Anton was a musical prince; he played the violin , the flute , and the lute , and compiled a large inventory of musical manuscripts. Paul Anton also played an important role as

988-612: The Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683, and the occupation of Vienna by Napoleon in 1809. The family acquired its property in three principal ways: redistribution of lands taken from Protestants in the Counter-Reformation , redistribution of lands conquered from the Ottoman Empire , and felicitous marriages. Most of these lands were situated in present-day Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. The family ultimately became

1040-519: The Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.237 via cp1104 cp1104, Varnish XID 198135433 Upstream caches: cp1104 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:41:19 GMT House of Esterh%C3%A1zy The House of Esterházy , also spelled Eszterházy ( Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈɛstɛrhaːzi] ), is a Hungarian noble family with origins in

1092-561: The art, supporting the Austrian side in the Napoleonic wars, reviving Haydn's musical establishment), coupled with the severe inflation and economic decline that war brought to Austria, meant that the renovations could never be completed, even by subsequent generations of princes. The grand entrance Nikolaus and Moreau planned is orphaned (see image to right), as the main entrance to the palace remains to this day in its original location on

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1144-526: The building through lease. Currently, the palace is under the ownership of the Esterházy Foundation, created by Melinda Esterházy (1920–2014). As one of the most substantial palaces in Austria, it is a major tourist attraction. Visitors may view a number of rooms as well as the furnishings and artwork, and may also tour the extensive grounds behind the palace. There is a wine museum and gift shop. Guided tours are offered, as well as concerts in

1196-556: The court orchestra, hiring several virtuosi who served under Haydn; the composer recognized their ability by writing many solo parts in his early symphonies. The second son of Joseph and brother of Paul II, in his youth a decorated soldier. He was the primary patron of Haydn and builder of Esterháza (see above). Son of Nikolaus I, married first, in 1763, Maria Theresia Gräfin Erdödy e Monyorokerek et Monoszlo (1745–1782), and second, in 1785 Maria Anna Gräfin von Hohenfeld (1768–1848). He

1248-403: 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 the 17th century and are attributed to

1300-498: The family being placed under a sequestration order, roughly the equivalent of bankruptcy. Served Austria in a series of diplomatic posts, and in 1848 was briefly Foreign Minister. The family encountered financial trouble during his reign, and (according to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition , ), "the last years of his life were spent in comparative poverty and isolation, as even

1352-432: The family name, Estoras , in 2009 is used to label fine Esterházy wines. The Esterházy family is known for its association with the composer Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), who served as their Kapellmeister . Haydn was hired by Prince Paul Anton in 1761, and from 1762 to 1790 served under Paul Anton's successor Nikolaus . During the following reign, that of Prince Anton (1790–1794), the Esterházy family mostly did without

1404-490: The family split into four main family lines: In 1626 the Esterházys were granted the title of Count and in 1712, the older Forchtenstein line received the title of (Ruling) Prince from the Holy Roman Emperor. They had a Sovereign State when they obtained the former Edelstetten Abbey as an Imperial Principality in 1804. The success of the family arose from the steady accumulation of land, and loyalty both to

1456-611: The family was Ferenc Zerházy (1563–1594), who was elevated to the title of baron of Galántha (an estate his family had held since 1421) and took the name Esterházy. Family history since this time is described according to three lines of descent, each originating in one of Ferenc's sons: the Fraknó (or Forchtenstein ) line, the Csesznek line, and the Zólyom (or Zvolen ) line. The Fraknó ( Forchtenstein ) line became "the most prominent of

1508-436: 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. But Prince Nikolaus's funds, ample as they were, did not suffice to complete these renovations; his expenses (maintaining numerous mistresses, paying for

1560-601: The largest landowners in the Habsburg Empire, and their income sometimes exceeded that of the Emperor. The family derived its name from the settlement Esterháza, Kingdom of Hungary . The settlement no longer exists, and is not to be confused with the later castle of the same name which they inhabited since the Middle Ages. Since 1421 they have been the owners of a property in Galánta . The most important seat of

1612-406: 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

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1664-649: The long-term family strategy, allying himself with the Catholic religion and the Habsburg emperor. He fought against the Protestant champions Gábor Bethlen and György Rákóczi and sought to free Hungary from Turkish domination. Paul was the third son of Nicholas, born in Eisenstadt. Elected Palatine in 1681 and created Prince of the Holy Roman Empire (in Hungary the title of Prince did not exist till

1716-539: The new Hungarian government carried out a comprehensive land reform , "confiscating the land of gentry with estates of more than 50 hectares". Only the land in Austria remained in prince Paul's possession. Further, in the years after 1945 Hungary came under the rule of the Hungarian People's Republic , an authoritarian Communist regime sponsored by the Soviet Union . Prince Paul endured a show trial and

1768-627: The opposite end of the building, facing the town. In the late 19th century renovation work finally began. Few changes were made in the early part of the 20th century. In 1945, at the end of the Second World War, a major change was made in the purpose of the palace: it accommodated the office of the Burgenland state government and later the national court for ten years. In 1969 the Burgenland state government took over major parts of

1820-522: 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

1872-443: 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 . Prince Anton Esterházy built considerably, despite his being in power for only a short time (1790–94). Nikolaus II , the spendthrift son of Anton, launched a program to convert the residence into Classical style. Nikolaus succeeded in acquiring

1924-496: The palace. The additions he made 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 . There were few changes made during the high and late baroque 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

1976-608: The region was in Hungary, it had been mainly settled by Germans, and was situated rather close to the Habsburgs' Imperial residence, Vienna. (The region remained part of Hungary until 1921, when it was handed over to Austria according to the Treaty of Saint-Germain , 1919, and the Treaty of Trianon , 1920.) The Esterházys maintained a number of other residences throughout the Kingdom of Hungary , including Transylvania (today part of Romania ), and those Esterházy princes who preferred

2028-403: The representative household of the head of the family as well as to maintain palaces and castles, and to pay allowances to family members without personal wealth.) After the dissolution of the Esterházy trust, prince Paul became the sole owner of the wealth accumulated therein so far. The Second World War proved disastrous: the family was scattered during the war years, and at the end of the war

2080-472: The service of the Esterházy family. Many of his works were composed and premiered in Kismarton and the Schloss Esterházy. The Haydnsaal was established under Paul Esterházy the first, in the course of the baroque building phase (1663–72). 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

2132-545: The services of musicians, and Haydn, retained on a nominal appointment, spent most of this time in trips to England. Finally, during the reign of Nikolaus II , Haydn worked for the family on a part-time basis. He spent his summers in Eisenstadt and annually composed a mass for the name day of the Prince's wife (and Haydn's friend), Princess Maria Josepha Hermenegild (1768–1845). Haydn continued to perform these duties until his health failed in 1802. The first prominent member of

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2184-402: 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

2236-529: 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

2288-533: The stylish life of the capital spent most of their time in Vienna. In the 1770s, Prince Nikolaus Esterházy , who disliked Vienna, had a magnificent new palace constructed in Fertőd , Hungary. It was built on the site of a former hunting lodge. Today this is the most admired of the Esterházy homes, often called the "Hungarian Versailles ." The main line of the Esterházy family were generally bilingual, in Hungarian (as

2340-587: The three". In the discussion that follows, Hungarian names are given in brackets. Nikolaus was born in Galanta . Raised as a Protestant , he later converted to Catholicism . Created Count by the Emperor in 1626, he achieved great wealth in part by marrying (twice) into money. In 1625, Nikolaus was elected Palatine of Hungary , the King's chief lieutenant within Royal Hungary . Nikolaus laid out what became

2392-580: The title of Fürst (Prince) from the Holy Roman Emperor in 1712. The Esterházys arose among the minor nobility of the northern part of the Kingdom of Hungary (today's southwest Slovakia), originally a branch of the Salamon clan ( de genere Salamon ) by the name Zerházi ( de Zerhásház / de Zyrház / de Zyrhas ). Their first known ancestor was Mokud (Mocud) from the Salamon clan, who

2444-482: Was a military serviceman and landowner in the Csallóköz region of Western Hungary (today Žitný ostrov in southwestern Slovakia), and Pristaldus , a judicial office-holder in the court of Béla III of Hungary . The name Esterházy was first used by Benedict Zerhas de Zerhashaz (1508–1553), who in 1539 took over the wealth of his wife, Ilona Bessenyei de Galántha. Their son, Ferenc Esterházy (1533–1604) inherited

2496-484: Was a time of revival for the Esterházy family fortunes. The family estates were made into flourishing businesses, including a "traditional welfare net, providing security for employees." With the resulting improvement in the family finances, the family properties were finally released from decades of sequestration. In addition, the family palaces—including the long-abandoned Esterháza —were restored and provided with modern plumbing and electricity. In these efforts Nikolaus

2548-706: Was elevated to the status of Prince ( Fürst ) in 1783. He received the Order of St. Stephen in 1777. He was Captain of the Hungarian Noble Life Guard from September 1791 until his death in 1794, and commanded an autonomous corps on the Upper Rhine at the beginning of the War of the First Coalition . His Corps participated in various actions between July and October, 1792, after which he received

2600-656: Was greatly assisted by his wife, Princess Margit (1874–1910), née Countess Cziráky. Prince Nikolaus IV, his wife Margit , their son Anton († 1944) and other family members are buried in the Esterházy family cemetery in Fertőd , which is located in a small park around two kilometers northeast of the Eszterháza Palace (position: 47°38′08.1″N 16°53′04.8″E  /  47.635583°N 16.884667°E  / 47.635583; 16.884667  ( Esterházy family cemetery, Fertőd ) ). The lifetime of this prince witnessed momentous, often catastrophic changes for

2652-557: Was sentenced to solitary confinement for 15 years. Freed in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 , he moved to Zurich with his wife, Melinda Ottrubay, whom he had married in Budapest in 1945, and lived in Zurich, from there managing his Austrian domains, until his death. Paul's wealth was inherited by his wife Melinda . Since she had no children, she created several foundations to preserve the cultural and historic heritage of

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2704-503: Was the same person as Nikolaus Josef. In discussions written in English, the Esterházy princes are occasionally given English versions of their names, as in "Nicholas". The family name is also rendered variously: Eszterházy (Hungarian spelling), Esterházy (German), and Esterhazy (typographic convenience). The full family name since the 16th century was Eszterházy de Galántha (later also styled von/of Galanta ). The Latinised form of

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