PALACE OF FESTETICS (KASTÉLY FESTETICS)

The Palais family palace is an immense castle of late Baroque, two wings and a unique asymmetrical tower. By its size, it is the second in Hungary, after those of Fertőd and Gödöllő.

The Lignée line, originating in Croatia, founded large areas in Hungary, in favour of wealthy alliances and a clever policy. Keszthely and its environs became the property of the Festetics in 1739. The construction of the castle, which spans two different periods, was undertaken by Kristóf Festetics in 1745. The castle was inspired by French style, with a court of honor in the shape of "U" and a strictly geometric park. Pál Festetics was born by Empress Marie-Thérèse for services rendered to the Habsburg Court.

Count György Festetics (1775-1819), the most illustrious of the line, transformed the family castle into a radiant palace. It was the golden age of the castle. The city of Keszthely and even the Hungarian education system owe a lot to György Festetics, who innova, through new techniques, in areas as different as horse husbandry, rational agriculture and shipbuilding. In 1797, he founded the Georgikon, the first agricultural academy in Europe, later the University of agronomy. The Baroque Academy building, in Baroque style, is one of the most beautiful in the city. It now includes a museum that covers the history of Hungarian agriculture as well as wine from the region. György Festetics also founded the famous Helikon library, located in the northern wing of the castle. The decor of the library, a true art of art in Empire style, with a superb caissons cap cap, was realized by a local cabinetmaker János Krebl. It houses a collection of 60 000 volumes, including a large selection of books on agriculture, all of which belonged to the Festetics family. The library was open to teachers and students from Georgikon so they could use it.

The House of Wine is open in the castle hall, and more precisely in its th century cellar. Over 50 wines are exhibited there.