Szigliget, one of the most picturesque villages on Lake Balaton, is proud not only of its natural beauty and famous castle ruins but also hides a historic and cultural treasure: the Esterházy Mansion. This special building, whose predecessor was built at the end of the 18th century, invites anyone who wants to discover a piece of Hungarian cultural life and is interested in historic mansions on an exciting journey through time.
Where the past lives on: the history of the Szigliget mansion
The history of the mansion goes back to the end of the 18th century, when the Lengyel family of Lengyeltóti had it built in late Baroque style. Two vaulted rooms on the ground floor still bear witness to the past, and their terrace offers a wonderful panorama of the surrounding landscape.
Over its history the mansion was owned by several notable families, including the Puteani family with Italian roots. József, a member of the family, had the mansion remodelled in Classicist style in the 1830s, adding the north tower still seen today and extending the building with a one-storey wing.
At the beginning of the 20th century the estate passed to Count Pál Esterházy, who ordered further extensions and renovations, including the neo-Baroque Bujtás Gate and the English landscape park. The mansion and its park are still impressive today, where visitors can admire the rich collection of conifers and the landscape garden.
The birth of the creative retreat: an artists' workshop in the mansion
A new chapter in the mansion's history began in the 1950s, when it was turned into a creative retreat and became one of the centres of Hungarian literary life.
The special atmosphere of the place, its natural beauty and historic past create an excellent creative environment where artists can work in peace, away from the noise of the world. Over the years, the guests of the Szigliget Creative House included many important Hungarian literary and artistic figures, whose work greatly enriched Hungarian culture.
Guests have included István Örkény, Zoltán Zelk, Lajos Kassák, Ágnes Nemes Nagy, Emil Kolozsvári Grandpierre, Magda Szabó, László Nagy, János Pilinszky, László Németh, István Fekete, Ervin Lázár, Sándor Weöres, Tibor Déry and Milán Füst.
The mansion today: historic heritage and cultural centre
The creative house is not only a home for practising the arts but also a venue for cultural events, literary evenings and workshops, encouraging cultural dialogue and creative communities. The history of the Szigliget Creative House is closely intertwined with the development of Hungarian literature and art, with the friendships, loves and cultural cooperation that have shaped the spirit of this place over the decades.
For guests of Lívia Apartmanok, this place is a great opportunity to discover Hungary's rich history and cultural heritage while relaxing in the magical surroundings of Lake Balaton.