About us

Museum

Our museum was founded by the descendants of Count Esterházy de Galantha et Frakno. The first exhibition was prepared in the mansion of Count Esterházy in Tomášikovo. The museum prides itself on managing an extensive family collection, an exceptional collection in Slovakia, which is owned by the original owners. The museum is preparing to establish a permanent exhibition in Galanta.

Expositions

The varied offer includes gems for lovers of the history of noble mansions, art, clocks, weapons, numismatics and a unique collection of minerals. The gallery of paintings, the most extensive and comprehensive collection of painted coats of arms in Slovakia, is also unique. The experience of our exposition is enhanced by the magnificent architecture of our residence. An exhibition entitled Palatín Mikuláš Esterházy is being prepared.

Events

With our partners we prepare cyclical and occasional events. These include the popular Tea at Count Esterházy's, a discussion with members of the Esterházy family about history and the present. A summer festival featuring the most famous works composed for the Esterházy family.

History of the family

The Esterházy family belongs to the ancient Hungarian nobility, known since the 12th century. The earliest historically proven ancestor was Mocud Magister Comes de Genere Salamon et Watha, in 1186. He was the owner of a settlement called Watha (now a village: Zlaté Klasy, Slovakia). In 1421, Benedict de Eesterház expelled the Galanta manor. Galanta thus became the seat of the Esterhazy family, and all of Benedict descendants began to use "de Galantha" as their noble predicate. From Galanta also came the prominent Palatine Nicholas Count Esterházy, who was greatly influenced by his uncle, Palatine Stephen I. Count Illésházy de Illésháza, as Palatine was the representative of the King of Hungary. The family acquired the Strečno estate in 1601, the Zvolen and Dobrá Niva estates in 1614, and Bytča with parts of the Orava and Lietava estates in 1626. In 1642 they acquired Šintava and Bernolákovo, in 1675 the castle manor of Levice, in 1690 Vígľaš and other estates and property shares in the territory of today's Slovakia, Hungary and Transylvania. In 1626, Nicholas Count Esterházy received the hereditary title of Count for his descendants. The family has always been inclined to piety, and several of the family became ecclesiastical dignitaries of the Catholic Church and also religious writers. Among them was the Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary, Imrich Count Esterházy, who crowned Queen Maria Theresa of Hungary in Bratislava, then the capital of Hungary. As Grand Master of the Order of St. Paul the Hermit and Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary, he built around 70 new churches in the territory of the Archdiocese. He himself spent more than 2 million gold pieces for religious and cultural purposes. In the past the family had successful and unsuccessful periods, times good and bad. The willingness not to give up on one's own convictions is characteristic of the Esterházy family, as the family motto "DUM SPIRO SPERO" (translated: As long as I breathe, I hope) calls it. Family members proved their courage by participating in battles where the Ottoman Turks pushed into their Hungarian homeland in repeated waves. They helped as defenders in the siege of Vienna and in the liberation of Buda. During the Austro-French War in 1809, Napoleon offered independence to the Kingdom of Hungary, headed by Anton Prince Esterházy, after the intended partition of the Austrian Empire. Later, the crown was also offered by Nicholas Prince Esterházy, who did not accept the offer either. The Esterházy family always remained loyal to the King of Hungary, although part of the nobility sympathized with Napoleon. The Esterházys were: Hungarian palatines, marshals, Croatian bans, royal councillors, politicians, diplomats, bishops of Jäger and Esztergom.

The Family archive

The Family Archive is a non-public archive set up by a family association of members and descendants of the family of Count Esterházy de Galantha et Frakno. It holds a number of archive holdings and collections and plays a role in cultural and educational activities, as well as in the acquisition and preservation of historical documents.

The Family Archives provides

  • Retrieval and protection of archival documents
  • Records of the family's archival heritage
  • Caring for the library collection
  • Pre-archive care

The family archive is part of the organizational structure of the Gróf Esterházy Kaštieľ-Múzeum, which is directly subordinate to the Director of the organization.

The museum is temporarily closed!

VISITOR REGULATIONS
Count Esterházy Manor-Museum

§ I. General provisions

1. The visitor regulations of the Count Esterházy Manor-Museum (hereinafter referred to as the museum) apply to all visitors of the museum.
2. Visitor regulations are available to the public at the museum box office or on the website www.esterhazy.sk.
3. Visitors to the museum are acquainted with the visitor regulations before entering the museum.
4. By purchasing a ticket, the museum visitor accepts the provisions of these Visitor Regulations and if he/she violates them, he/she will be immediately expelled from the museum, without the right to a refund of the admission fee.


§ II. Visitor

1. Návštevníkom je každá fyzická osoba, alebo skupina osôb, ktorá vstúpi do areálu, alebo budovy múzea za účelom poznávacím, kultúrno-výchovným alebo voľnočasovým účelom.
2. Návštevník alebo skupiny návštevníkov (turistická, školská) je povinná využiť sprievodcovské služby lektora v zmysle paragrafu III. bodu 2. návštevného poriadku múzea.
3. Lektorský výklad v inom jazyku, ako Slovenčina, alebo Maďarčina je možný len v prípade vopred ohlásenej návštevy múzea.


§ III. Lector

1. The lecturer is a member of the family association Count Esterházy Manor-Museum, whose task is to provide visitors with expert information and accompany visitors to the museum.
2. The lecturer is always visibly marked with a name tag and the museum visitor is obliged to make use of his/her guiding services, participate in the guided interpretation and respect his/her possible instructions.


§ IV. Opening hours

1. Museum opening hours are posted outside the museum entrance and on the website www.esterhazy.sk.
2. The museum reserves the right to temporarily or completely close or restrict access to the museum in case of a serious reason (organizational, technical, natural).
3. Access to the museum outside opening hours is only possible with the permission of the museum director.


§ V. Tickets

1. The amount of admission to the museum is determined by the price list signed by the director of the museum.
2. The admission price list is located in the museum box office.
3. Entrance to the museum is only possible with a valid ticket.
4. The visitor is obliged to present a valid ticket at the lecturer's request.
5. The ticket is non-transferable.
6. The lecturer is entitled to invalidate the ticket at the marked place.
7. Educational supervisors (teachers or tutors) who accompany the school group are entitled to free admission.


§ VI. Tour of the museum

1. Entrance to the museum is not allowed:
a) persons under the influence of alcohol, psychotropic or narcotic substances,
b) with firearms, pyrotechnics, or sharp objects that may injure other visitors or damage exhibits,
c) with a dog or other animals,
2. Before entering and during the stay in the museum, the visitor is obliged to follow the instructions of the lecturer.
3. It is forbidden in the museum premises:
a) damage or endanger the interior or exterior of the museum and its inventory,
b) touch exhibits, installations, exhibition furniture (showcases, installation elements ...) unless explicitly marked as such,
c) smoke (except in designated and properly marked areas) or handle fire extinguishers, open flames and electrical equipment,
d) move outside the designated visitor route and enter areas that are not intended for museum visitors or are marked with a "No Entry" sign,
e) consume all types of beverages and food (except in designated areas), consume psychotropic or narcotic substances inside the museum,
f) disturb other visitors by noisy or vulgar behaviour,
g) take photographs or video recordings for other than private non-commercial purposes. If photographing or videotaping for personal use, a fee must be paid upon entering the museum. For study, marketing, documentation, and research purposes, exceptions to this prohibition are granted by the Museum Director upon written request and in accordance with the Museum's Fee Schedule. The use of photographic easels, lights, and other professional equipment is prohibited without prior approval of the Museum Director,
h) conduct any campaign (marketing, political, informational, ...), fundraiser, sale, or petition that is not organized or authorized by the Museum Director upon prior written request,
i) litter outside the designated bins.
4. Visitors are obliged to take care of their safety and avoid activities that could endanger the health or life of themselves or other visitors.
5. The Museum is not responsible for injuries and accidents caused by non-compliance with the Visitor Regulations.
6. The museum premises are monitored by security cameras for the safety of exhibits and visitors.
7. In case of fire or other danger, the visitor is obliged to follow the lecturer's instructions.
8. In case of injury or sickness, it is necessary to inform the lecturer or the treasurer.
9. The pedagogical supervision (teacher and tutor) is obliged to supervise the behaviour of the pupils and the cold on the basis of the tutor's instructions.
10. Visitors can address their wishes, comments and complaints to muzeum@esterhazy.sk

The Museum's Visiting Regulations come into force on the date of 2. 9. 2021
Nikolaus Paul Esterházy, director Count Esterházy Manor-Museum

Partners

Office:
Gróf Esterházy Kaštieľ-Múzeum
Zelinárska 5389/2
821 08 Bratislava
Slovakia

Director:
Nikolaus Paul Esterházy
office@esterhazy.sk

Museum:
Helena Esterházyová
uzeum@esterhazy.sk

Identification data:
Non-profit organisation
IČO: 53957482