Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
GÖDÖLLŐ ROYAL PALACE
The Royal Palace at Gödöllő (roughly pronounced 'GOOD-duh-luh'), 30km
northeast of Budapest and easily accessible on the HÉV suburban train, ri-
valled aristocratic residences throughout the Habsburg empire when it was
completed in the 1760s and is the largest baroque manor house in Hungary.
The town itself, full of lovely baroque buildings and monuments, is also worth
exploring.
The palace was designed in 1741 by Antal Mayerhoffer for Count Antal Grassalkovich
(1694-1771), confidante of Empress Maria Theresa. After the formation of the Dual Mon-
archy over century later, it was enlarged as a summer retreat for and gifted to Emperor Franz
Joseph and soon became the favoured residence of his consort, the much-loved Habsburg
empress and Hungarian queen Elizabeth (1837-98), affectionately known as Sissi (or Sisi).
Between the two world wars the regent, Admiral Miklós Horthy, also used it as a summer
residence, but after the Communists came to power part of the mansion was used as a bar-
racks for Soviet and Hungarian troops and as an old people's home. The rest was left to de-
cay.
Partial renovation of the mansion began in the mid-1980s, and today almost three dozen
rooms are open to the public on the ground and 1st floors. They have been restored to the
period when the imperial couple was in residence, and Franz Joseph's suites (done up in
manly deep red) and Sissi's lavender-coloured private apartments on the 1st floor are im-
pressive. Check out the Ornamental Hall , all gold tracery, stucco and chandeliers, where
chamber-music concerts are held throughout the year. Also see the Queen's Reception
Room , with a Secessionist-style oil painting of Sissi patriotically repairing the coronation
robe of King Stephen with needle and thread; the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Exhibit ,
which looks at the queen's assassination by Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni, who stabbed her
to death with a needle file; and the Grassalkovich Era Exhibition, which offers a glance at
the palace during its first century.
You can also visit the splendid Baroque Theatre (adult/student 1400/800Ft; Sat & Sun)
and the WWII-vintage Horthy's Bunker (adult/student 800/500Ft) with a guide; be aware
that the permanent exhibition is also by guided tour (three to five departures) during the
week in winter. Audioguides cost 800Ft. There's a helpful tourist office (
28-415 402;
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