Raphael’s Esterházy Madonna will be on display at the Fertőd Esterházy Castle, which is gradually regaining its original splendour, at the weekend as part of the Night of the Museums event. Thanks to the spectacular refurbishment project implemented within the framework of the New Széchenyi Plan, the castle will be one of the gem stones of Hungarian and European culture, and the showcasing of the Esterházy Madonna will be an important milestone in this process. Visitors may view the painting from 8.00 p.m. on Saturday until 6.00 a.m. on Sunday.

A special installation will be prepared in conjunction with the presentation of Raffaello Santi’s work painted in 1508 which will introduce other Madonna representations created during the Renaissance. It will contribute to the unique atmosphere of the event that the castle is now adorned by several works of art originating from the Esterházy Collection as a result of the fruitful cooperation for many years of the Museum of Fine Arts and the National Trust of Historical Monuments.

The Government entrusted government commissioner Ferenc Zumbok with the coordination of the state responsibilities related to the refurbishment of the Fertőd Esterházy Castle. The first phase of the project implemented from EU funding worth some HUF 1.6 billion was closed on 9 May.

Thanks to the work completed already in the first phase, the renewal of the building is spectacular. The facade of the castle, the upstairs banquet halls, the staircase, the courtyard and the roof structure of the puppet theatre have been fully refurbished, and a new parking facility was built for visitors. The music hall, which was graced by Joseph Haydn’s presence and music for almost three decades, was also restored to its old magnificence. The courtyard has been landscaped; the extensive area which was previously gravelled was transformed into a lawn with flowers.

An aid contract for the second phase with a budget of almost HUF 2 billion was signed in March this year. A new reception building will be built, complete with event and catering spaces, and the lowering to the original terrain level and decorative paving of the road section in front of the castle will also be completed by the end of this year. The rose garden will regain its former beauty, the Chinese lacquer cabinet and porcelain cabinet will be restored and the refurbishment of the puppet theatre and the building of the orangery will be completed.

The planned budget of the third phase of the refurbishment works amounts to HUF 1.7 billion. In this phase of the project, the conditions will be created for the revival of a truly international music culture and scene in the spirit of Haydn’s inheritance.

More on the Castle and the programme at www.esterhazy-kastely.com.

(Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)