Who among us hasn’t heard of the Bermuda Triangle? Well, while everything vanishes in the Bermuda one, in the “Želiezovce” things, on the contrary, appear. You haven’t heard of it yet? It’s time to get to know it – it abounds in famous names such as Esterházy, Schubert and Sacher. And you can find them all close to each other – in an area that can only be called the Želiezovce triangle.
Esterházy Manor House
When you turn towards the Želiezovce park and manor house, everything calms down. The bustle of the town fades so much that you feel as if you had ended up in another century. A landmark such as the Esterházy Manor House undoubtedly is, beckons you to step off the road, stop and admire it. It fell into disrepair for a long time and almost disappeared from locals’ sight. But, thank God, a way to save it was found.
The Esterházy noble family left a strong mark on the history of the town. And not only there – they managed vast estates in the surrounding area, planted vineyards and had wine cellars dug. And yet Želiezovce was only their “summer residence”. The vineyards on the Esterházy lands are still there to this day, as are the original cellars, only the owner has changed. You can visit them in nearby Sikenica as well, at a family winery.
Well, back to Želiezovce. The spacious manor house building, although not yet fully renovated, already offers space for various cultural and social events. It is best known for the prestigious Schubert Fest, which is held in a spring and an autumn cycle and hosts artists from around the world. What attracts them to perform in the premises of the Želiezovce manor house is mainly the fact that the famous composer spent some time in Želiezovce. He worked here as a music teacher for the daughters of the Esterhazy family and composed a few smaller works here.
Franz Schubert
If we consider the Esterházys and their majestic manor house the first point of the Želiezovce triangle, Schubert is the next one. To put things into perspective, close to the manor house you will find Franz Schubert’s Memorial Room. It is part of the exhibition of the Želiezovce museum and was the place where the famous artist lived during his stay in Želiezovce.
The museum itself is a rarity – it was created on the initiative of an enthusiast of Želiezovce history, Pavol Polka, who collected most of the exhibits, displays them and also guides visitors through the museum. His guided tour is supplemented by a wealth of interesting tidbits from the history of the town that you would hardly hear anywhere else. Reserve at least an hour for the museum – you won’t even notice how it flies by.
Franz Sacher and the Sacher Torte
The imaginary triangle is completed by a third important figure – the creator of the world-famous Sacher Torte, Franz Sacher. At one time he worked as head chef in the Esterhazys’ summer residence, and his son Eduard, the founder of the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, was also born here. A reminder of the famous confectioner’s stay in Želiezovce is Sacher House near the manor house.
After the Sachers left, the house was inherited by the descendants of the Esterházys; its last owner was Countess Coudenhove-Breunner, who had to leave the house in a hurry in 1944. Under socialism the building fell into considerable disrepair, and in the 1990s it was no different. Today the building has been restored. The interior, furnished in the style of the Hotel Sacher, is decorated with period photographs from the life of the count’s family from the Sachers’ era, collected from the albums of the house’s last owner. It was precisely thanks to them that the building could be renovated to its original state.
A few curiosities also testify to the uniqueness of this place. For example, the premises are decorated with original chandeliers, lamps and tables from the original Hotel Sacher in Vienna. Even the plates on which you are served a genuine “Sacher” are made according to the original from the days of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, as is the table setting. The napkins come from the workshop of a company that reportedly made table linen for the Titanic’s tables at the beginning of the last century.
And what would a visit to Sacher House be without tasting its famous torte? It comes from Želiezovce. The Sacher Civic Association is working to preserve the tradition of making the genuine Sacher Torte, in the near future also in the form of practical workshops and a permanent exhibition.
So, will you set off on a hunt for experiences?
