Hungary's unique Neo-Classical castle reborn after decades of decay

The Sándor-Metternich Castle can be found in the heart of the town of Bajna, about 50 kilometres north-west of Budapest. After long decades of decay, it is now back to its former glory.

As we can read on the official site of Nemzeti Örökségvédelmi Fejlesztési Nonprofit Kft. (NÖF),

“The Sándor-Metternich Mansion in Bajna currently has the appearance of a Classicist structure, but study has revealed that it has undergone multiple reconstructions.”

sándor metternich castle — The Sándor-Metternich Castle. Source: https://www.facebook.com/nofnkft

As Funzine reported, according to early records, on the site of the Sándor-Metternich Castle in Bajna, there was already a noble manor house at the end of the 15th century, which was acquired by the Sándor family at the end of the 17th century. Menyhért Sándor, the deputy-lieutenant of Esztergom County, had a hunting lodge built on the estate, which was soon inherited by his son, Móric Sándor.

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Móric set his mind on extending and rebuilding the building, for which he commissioned one of the most famous architects of the time: the Neo-Classical castle was designed by József Hild.

According to NÖF’s website, architect József Hild drew up the plans for the hunting lodge around 1720. However, history marred the magnificent white building, and by 2016, the castle, Bajna’s main attraction, had become a crumbling haunted house.

This came to an end in 2018, when the listed building’s restoration to its original state began.

Three years later, at the end of last year, the Sándor-Metternich Castle reopened to the public, with two floors of exciting exhibitions exploring the special building’s past.

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“Owing to the developments, the main building, the forecourt and the gardens of the mansion have become a high-quality event venue. Outdoor venues can be covered with a tent on request, thus becoming suitable for larger events, performances, […], chamber music concerts, family events, wedding ceremonies, or exclusive events even of international significance”, says the official site of NÖF.

What is more, they also add that the exterior and interior of the mansion may be the perfect venue for filming and thematic photography.

If this article has sparked your interest in visiting such a wonderful historical place in the countryside, check this page for the opening hours of the castle.