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Queen Elizabeth's favourite place in the Royal Palace of Gödöllő

The Royal Palace of Gödöllő, the former residence of the Grassalkovich family with its beautiful parks and vast forests, became Queen Elizabeth's favourite residence in Hungary. Nowadays the palace is a prominent place of the Elizabeth cult. Wilhelm Richter (1824-1892): Queen Elizabeth on horseback, 1870s,oil on canvas Collection of the Royal Palace Museum of Gödöllő   Elizabeth (1837–1898) was a famously good equestrian, and in the 1870s and 80s she was able to compete in the toughest pack hunts in England and Ireland. However, in addition to cross-country riding, she was also excellent in equestrianism, so it is not surprising that her favourite place in the palace of Gödöllő was the riding hall. The riding hall of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő in 1896 (photo: Mór Erdélyi) and today (photo: András Dabasi), on the wall you can see Károly Lotz's painting Ménes: Ménes Collection of the Royal Palace Museum of Gödöllő   The riding hall was built by Antal Grassalkovich I. in the southern part of the palace in the middle of the 18th century. In 1879-80, according to Elizabeth's ideas, it was rebuilt, a menage was created in a circle with four large mirrors so that the queen could see the movements of the horses accurately. The ornament of the riding hall was a large painting depicting beautiful horses in the Hungarian wilderness. Károly Lotz (1833–1904): Ménes (1880) was placed in Queen Elizabeth's riding hall in Gödöllő in the autumn of 1881. The painting – which is the deposit of the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery – has recently been found, identified and restored, so it can be seen again in its original location from February 2024.   Wilhelm Richter: Flick and Flock, 1877, reproduction of an oil painting, published in Egon Caesar Conte Corti: Elizabeth's biography "Die Seltsame Frau", published in 1934 Collection of the Royal Palace Museum of Gödöllő   In the 1870s, the queen bought circus horses and learned many horse stunts from Emilie Loisset and Elise Petzold, the prosthetic equestrian of the Renz circus. Elise was often in Gödöllő, became the queen's confidant, and Elizabeth gave her one of her favourite horses, Lord Byron, as a thank you. Friedrich Kaulbach painted a painting of the equestrian and her famous horse.[1] The queen regularly held horse shows for her family members and invited guests, so the riding hall was an important place for socializing. A piano was placed in the gallery, and the incidental music of the performances was played many times by Count Mária Festetics. The queen had several trainable horses, such as "Flick" and "Flock", the beautiful white steeds, whom she brought to Gödöllő in September 1878, and they had a very spectacular feat: Elizabeth stands in the middle of the "little riding school, sugar and bread in her hands, the horses are allowed in at the same time from different sides, they gallop towards their mistress, from whom they always get something good. They stop right in front of Elizabeth. One of her fond amusements is to introduce them to strangers when the horses suddenly rush in. Viewers are terrified."[2] Excerpt from the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Exhibition, left Friedrich Kaulbach: Elise Petzold on her horse Lord Byron, on the right is Wilhelm Richter (1824–1892): Queen Elizabeth in the riding hall of Gödöllő on horse Avolo, 1876. (photo: Marianna Kaján) Collection of the Royal Palace Museum of Gödöllő Her other famous circus horse "Avolo" was painted in a special way by court painter Wilhelm Richter in 1876 in the riding hall of Gödöllő: Avolo gets down on knee, with Elizabeth sitting on a side saddle, wearing a riding dress. The famous painting was donated by reader Ida Ferenczy to the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Museum in the Buda Palace in 1908, today it is in the collection of the Hungarian National Museum and is a featured artwork of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Exhibition of Gödöllő Palace. The painting will be on display at the Palace of Versailles for the occasion of the XXXIII Olympic Games from July 2 to Nov. 3, 2024 in a temporary exhibition on horseback riding  entitled "Horse in Majesty – At the Heart of a Civilisation".                                                                        Marianna Kaján, historian-museologist   Wilhelm Richter (1824–1892): Queen Elizabeth in the riding hall of Gödöllő on horse Avolo, 1876, reproduction of an oil painting, published in Egon Caesar Conte Corti's biography Elizabeth "Die Seltsame Frau", published in 1934 Collection of the Royal Palace Museum of Gödöllő   [1] The picture decorated Elizabeth's suite in Gödöllő, nowadays it can be seen in the palace, at the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Exhibition. [2] gr. Egon Cäsar Corti, Elizabeth, p. 288.

The complete renovation of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő may begin

The comprehensive renovation of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő is set to begin soon, thanks to a joint effort by the Hungarian State and OTP Bank. The rehabilitation program, estimated to cost around 40 billion forints and expected to span nine years, aims to restore the entire historic palace complex and its 26-hectare park to the state in which Queen Elisabeth (“Sisi”) once saw it from 1867 onward. The Hungarian State and OTP Bank Unite to Launch the Full Restoration of the Gödöllő Royal Palace Following the modernization works related to the preservation of cultural heritage, the site will become a world-class cultural venue, event center, tourist attraction, and visitor center. The agreement for the investment was signed in Gödöllő on October 13 by Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, and Sándor Csányi, Chairman of OTP Bank and of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A Historic Landmark with Deep Roots October 13, 2025 – Gödöllő. Construction of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő began after 1735, initiated by Count Antal Grassalkovich, one of the most prominent Hungarian nobles of the 18th century. Through decades of development, the building acquired its distinctive and highly representative layout, becoming a model of Central and Eastern European Baroque palace architecture. Notable guests included Maria Theresa, Sándor Petőfi, and Lajos Kossuth, while its most famous resident was Queen Elisabeth (Sisi). After World War II, the palace served as military barracks and later as a social care home—uses unworthy of its status, which led to its gradual decay. Partial restoration began in 1995, and a few rooms opened to the public in 1996. Though further developments followed, a full-scale, expert rehabilitation of the historic complex and park has yet to take place—until now. The Scope of the Renovation The new rehabilitation program includes the restoration of 6,000 square meters of severely deteriorated sections, as well as the modernization of 7,500 square meters of already restored heritage areas, including the main wing renovated thirty years ago. The 26-hectare palace park will also be renewed. The palace will receive a new heating system, air conditioning, and humidity control. In addition to refreshed spaces for families and tourists, it will gain modern educational, research, and restoration facilities. The complex’s event and hospitality capacity will be significantly expanded: the historic brewery will reopen, and the Musicians’ Wing—once home to the Grassalkovich family’s orchestra members—will host music masterclasses. Statements from the Leaders “The historical figures and events connected to the Royal Palace of Gödöllő are deeply intertwined with the birth and development of the Hungarian nation-state. It is therefore our duty to restore this building to its former glory, using the most advanced technologies available today. These walls have witnessed some of the most important chapters of our shared national story, and it is our task to preserve and retell them in a form that future generations can experience and learn from,” — said Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, at the signing ceremony in Gödöllő on October 13. The state–private partnership–based rehabilitation program, expected to last nine years, focuses equally on heritage preservation and value creation. Of the total 40 billion forint investment, OTP Bank will contribute 20 billion forints. At the event, Sándor Csányi, Chairman of OTP Bank and of the Foundation owning the Palace, said: “As Hungary’s leading bank, we must take part in major community projects that cannot be realized without significant private investment. OTP Bank’s involvement in the restoration of the Gödöllő Royal Palace reflects both our social role and our economic strength. Beyond its cultural and touristic significance, the project will also contribute to the development of the region and the growth of local enterprises.” A Living Cultural Hub Thanks to its European cultural ties, the Royal Palace of Gödöllő is already a vibrant and active tourist and cultural site. It remains one of Hungary’s most renowned attractions worldwide, particularly popular among visitors from Asia. In 2025, the palace and its events are expected to welcome around 350,000 visitors, while its park will attract 800,000–900,000 guests. The planned developments will significantly increase these numbers, ensuring the palace—and the region—continues to grow and thrive.

A.E. Köchert – Jeweller to Emperors and Kings

Step into a world of imperial elegance and timeless brilliance! The Royal Palace of Gödöllő presents a dazzling exhibition celebrating A.E. Köchert, the legendary Viennese jeweller to emperors and kings. For the first time in Hungary, visitors can admire a breathtaking collection of jewels—many from private aristocratic and royal treasures, rarely seen by the public. The highlight: a magnificent neo-Renaissance brooch once owned by Queen Elisabeth of Hungary (“Sisi”), long thought lost and recently rediscovered, shown alongside its original designs by the famed architect Theophil von Hansen. From diamond-studded orders to bridal tiaras and exquisite sketches from the Köchert archives, each piece tells a story of artistry, prestige, and passion spanning over 200 years. Don’t miss this glittering journey through the history of European luxury!