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The life of Queen Elizabeth

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Királyi Kastély

The life of Queen Elizabeth

The life of Queen Elizabeth

 

Born in Munich on Christmas Eve, Elisabeth was the third child of Duke Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria (1808-1888) and Princess Ludovika of Bavaria (1808-1892). She spent most of her childhood in Possenhofen, on the shores of Lake Starnberg. Sissi grew up in a very unrestrained and unstructured environment, and she would often go swimming, hiking or riding around the countryside.

Ludovika’s sister, Princess Sophie of Bavaria (1805-1872) was the mother of Emperor Francis Joseph I. In search of a German duchess for her 23-year-old son, in order to strengthen Austro-German relations, her choice eventually (after several unsuccessful attempts) fell on Helene, the eldest daughter of the Wittelsbach family. The two young people first met in Bad Ischl in the August of 1853. Ludovika took her younger daughter Elisabeth to the meeting with her, whose heart had just been broken. Instead of Helene, the interest of the young Emperor Francis Joseph was aroused by Elisabeth, the shy, quiet 16-year-old girl with pigtails. Their wedding took place in 1854, but this love match did not bring Elisabeth much happiness. Within the walls of Hofburg, she hardly ever saw her young husband who was busy dealing with political matters and affairs of state. Sissi was lonely; she had no-one to share the grief she felt over the loss of the free country life and her difficulties in adapting to the rigid formality of court etiquette. Her personality was just the opposite of what was expected of her: the boring, elderly ladies-in-waiting assigned to her constantly criticised her dress sense, education, dancing, and behaviour. Her most ruthless critic, however, was her mother-in-law Princess Sophie.

The young Empress had been interested in literature and history since her early childhood. Due to her position, she soon developed a talent for understanding politics. On just one occasion, however, she seriously interfered in politics, and this was in the interest of the Hungarians. The wife of Francis Joseph, who had suppressed the 1848-49 revolution and War of Independence, was sympathetic towards the Hungarians - perhaps because of her mother-in-law’s aversion From 1863 onwards she diligently studied Hungarian language and history. In addition, she engaged Hungarian ladies-in-waiting and a reader. She regularly corresponded with the Hungarian liberals Gyula Andrássy and Ferenc Deák. She was their passionate advocate, believing this to be the only chance for the Monarchy to survive, so she wrote dozens of strongly-worded letters calling upon the Emperor to conclude the Austro-Hungarian Compromise. Following a tragic defeat in the Austro-Prussian war, the Emperor eventually succumbed, as he was also interested in settling the conflicts with the Hungarians. The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 created the dual Monarchy of Austro–Hungary. On the 8th of June, Francis Joseph I and Elisabeth were officially crowned King and Queen of Hungary. Elisabeth placed herself decisively on the Hungarian side in the increasing struggle for independence. So much so that in a poem of hers not intended for publication she reveals her wish to give birth to a son for Hungary, who would be brought up as a Hungarian, and eventually as monarch would lead Hungary to gain independence from Austria. In the spirit of this decision, she gave birth to her youngest daughter Archduchess Marie Valerie, dubbed the "Hungarian princess", born in Buda in 1868.

Elisabeth continued to be interested in politics, but the more she learnt the more disappointment she felt over historic injustices. In consequence she kept her distance from politics, but as a private person she was drawn to the concept of a republic.

 

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Sisi Experience - guided tour with Sisi

During our special guided tour, you can visit the royal apartments as a guest of “Her Majesty”, where you can learn many interesting things about the family’s everyday life in Gödöllő. “Queen Elizabeth” will reveal secrets to her guests, such as how difficult her coronation dress was, how long it took to make her hairstyle, or what her relationship was like with Gyula Andrássy and Ferenc Deák.  The program is recommended for visitors over 12 years old! Date: 13. June 14:00 English-language tour   You can buy your ticket on the spot
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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.
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2025. Outdoor summer programs at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő

2025. Outdoor summer programs at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő

2025. Outdoor summer programs at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő        “Tündérkirálynő légy a párom” – operetta gala Huszka 150 / Jókai 200 / Strauss 200 Dates, time: 07.15. 20:00 Ticket price: 6.500-7.500 HUF   The first part of the gala concert features the most renowned operetta excerpts by Jenő Huszka, while the second part presents a selection from Johann Strauss’s The Gypsy Baron. A unique aspect of the evening is that the works of both composers are connected by the figure of Mór Jókai, whose literary creations inspired several of the featured pieces and whose 200th birth anniversary is also being celebrated.   TICKET         Hot Jazz Band 40 Dates, time: 07.17. 20:30 Ticket price: 6.500-7.500 HUF   Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Kossuth Prize-winning Hot Jazz Band will be the next performer at the Grassalkovich Palace in Gödöllő. The concert will offer a retrospective of the band's rich career, during which they have performed in 22 European countries, as well as in the United States and China.   TICKET       ABBA ÉS BONEY M. CONCERTSHOW Dates, time: 07.19. 20:30 Ticket price: 10.900-12.900 HUF   With us, there’s no rivalry! The greatest hits of the disco era will come to life on one stage, in one unforgettable night! The legendary songs of ABBA and Boney M. will be performed in a spectacular concert show, guaranteed to deliver an electrifying atmosphere.   TICKETS       Group'N Swing Cabaret Extravaganza Concertshow Dates, time: 08.09. 20:30 Ticket price: 6.500-7.500 HUF   Now celebrating its 19th anniversary, the Fonogram Award-winning Group’n’Swing Band – Hungary’s number one Swing & Boogie Show Band – has always held a prominent place on the Hungarian music scene. The band is honored to have earned unanimous acclaim from both the industry and the public. Their concerts are characterized by outstanding musical quality, dynamic show elements supported by high-energy dance choreographies, pure joy, and an infectious positive energy that captivates their audience.     TICKETS         Illényi Katica Concert accompanied by the Dunube Symphony Orchestra  Dates, time: 08.10 20:30 Ticket price: 13.990-15.990 HUF   On August 10th, music lovers are invited to a truly special open-air experience in the stunning gardens of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő. This time, Katica Illényi will enchant the audience accompanied by the Danube Symphony Orchestra, conducted by István Silló.   TICKETS             
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