Renovation of Key Hungarian Castle set to Wrap up by May2012. január 31.
Hungary’s largest castle improvement project in Fertőd is set to be implemented in two phases with funding by the New Széchenyi Plan in the amount of approximately HUF 3.5 billion. The renovation works of Eszterházy Castle were visited by Ágnes Molnár, State Secretary for development policy coordination of the Ministry of National Development, on 5 January 2012.
“Elected leaders and Government should make sure to preserve and improve the country’s unique assets with due care. In this spirit, the town of Fertőd and Government are forging an unprecedented partnership”, said State Secretary Molnár at her visit to Eszterházy Castle in Fertőd. The State Secretary plans to pay personal visits to large-scale development projects worth billions of forints that are underway across the country. Fertőd was the first station in this series.
Within the New Széchenyi Plan, the Government plans to allocate additional funds to make Eszterházy Castle flourish and to turn it to a real cultural centre of international renown. Speaking of the significance of Eszterháza in terms of cultural history and of the future, Ms Molnár explained that Government aims to create a classical music training centre in Fertőd, which can duly cherish the memory of Joseph Haydn, once a resident and composer of the castle.
With a history of nearly 250 years, Eszterházy Castle attracts some 90,000 visitors each year, but the condition of the buildings is unsuitable for accommodating more visitors. The renovation of the castle and its surroundings will create new jobs and the conditions for excellence in accommodating visitors to the location, which is unique in terms of culture and tourism even by European standards, and to Fertő-Hanság National Park. Currently in their second phase, renovations to the centre of the world heritage site are set to be completed by May.
Source: Ministry of National Development