April 28, 2015
We drove 30 km going northeast to a town called Godollo to visit the Royal Palace of Godollo. It was built in the 13th – 14th century originally by the Grassalkovich family. It’s the largest baroque style palace in Hungary and the second largest in floor area, after Versailles, in France.
It served as a summer residence for Emperor Francis Joseph and Queen Elisabeth between 1867-1916. During those period, the Emperor and the Queen brought all their belongings to the Godollo Palace every time they would visit. This included their favorite furniture like dining table, chairs, beds, writing table, etc.
Hungary’s Queen Elisabeth
The castle was also used by Governor Miklós Horthy from 1920-1944.
It was raining and very cold when we reached the Godollo Castle.
Some parts of the castle had been remodeled. This hallways looked newly painted and a bit modern.
The southern wing of the Palace complex – which Antal Grassalkovich I rendered at the disposal of his friend, Count Kristóf Migazzi, Bishop of Vác and Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna – was converted into a theatre by Prince Antal Grassalkovich II between 1782 and 1785. Thus the Palace Theatre is the oldest operating stone theatre in Hungary. The baroque theatre, which has seating facilities for 100 guests, operated on a temporary basis, and performances were held only when the prince’s court was in residence in Gödöllö. (info source: AERR)
We were shown the back area of the theater which was creepy and claustrophobic.
(Sleepy tourists)
This was the wheel that turned the theater’s curtains. Ang bigat. I tried moving it, ni hindi natinag.
Aling Ayleen with a pretty but creepy mannequin.
Our male tour mates, Inigo, Lito, Franco, Francis, with a pretty live mannequin.
One of the rooms in the castle. Note: No cameras allowed.
There’s a small china room with an antique Herendi vase. Note: no photos allowed.
I was not listening to our tour guide as she animatedly told us about the lives of the royals who once lived in this palace. All I cared about at that point was to find a chair to rest my super tired legs and feet.
Note: No pictures allowed.
When in Europe, bring Kotinko rub for your neck. Nakaka- stiff-neck. Ceiling, walls, posts, chandeliers. Puro tingala.
