Festetics Palace

8360 Keszthely, Kastély u. 1
8360 Keszthely, Kastély u. 1

Introduction

Festetics Palace is one of Hungary's most significant aristocratic residences, located in the heart of the town of Keszthely. Its construction was begun by Kristóf Festetics in 1745, and it was the home of the Festetics family for more than 200 years. The palace acquired its present form during the reign of Tasziló II Festetics, between 1883 and 1887, in a historicist style. The interior of the palace complex includes a library, a chapel, a dining room, a ballroom, and a library. The interior of the palace building—including the library, marble hall, chapel, salons, and ballroom— showcase the lifestyle of the aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries with original or authentically reconstructed furnishings. The palace houses Hungary's only surviving private library of the nobility, with more than 86,000 volumes.

Visitors can enjoy further exhibitions in the buildings belonging to the palace: a swing exhibition in the former coach house, a hunting and historical model exhibition in the back part of the park , and an exhibition presenting the world of royal travelers at the Amazon House Visitor Center. The Palm House completes the experience with its exotic plants, aquarium, bird park, and rock garden. The palace grounds is a nature reserve that evokes the English garden design traditions of the 1880s.

Accessibility

Fotó: Festetics-kastély | Facebook

Festetics Palace is located in the center of Keszthely, at 1 Kastély Street. It is a few minutes' walk from the town center, via well-maintained sidewalks and signposted routes. Paid parking is available in the surrounding streets (e.g., Fő tér, Kossuth utca). The Keszthely train station and bus station are about a 10-15 minute walk away. There is also a bicycle rack in the palace grounds. The building and exhibition halls welcome visitors with barrier-free access and internal transport, making them easily accessible for wheelchair users and those with strollers.

Fotó: Festetics-kastély | Facebook

The source of the images and content is the official Facebook page of the Festetics Castle's official Facebook page and website.