Event space
WENCKHEIM PALACE, SZABADKÍGYÓS
The palace was built between 1875 and 1879 based on the plans of Miklós Ybl. The park was established simultaneously. The palace was consecrated on 19 July 1882. Its commissioners of construction, Count Frigyes Wenckheim (Gerla branch) and his wife, Countess Krisztina Wenckheim (Ókígyós branch), were among the wealthiest landowners of the time. It was the brightest, most modern palace of its time, with dazzling furnishings. The palace is eclectic, neo-Renaissance in style. Its interior reflects the lifestyle and habits of the former aristocracy. The main building is single-storey, providing an unconstrained mass, with a tower and loggia terrace. A loggia corridor connects it to the annex. The staff quarters and the kitchen building are likewise single-storey.
The impressive, nearly 25-hectare park surrounding the palace has been part of the Szabadkígyós Landscape Protection Area since 1949. The group of cypresses surrounding the artificial garden lake, the enormous plane tree in front of the palace, the pedunculate oak trees, the rows of chestnut trees and the centuries-old white aspen tree are a reminder of the past. The Wenckheims raised seven children and many grandchildren and were famous for their extensive social life. They entertained several thousand guests at the palace, as evidenced by the thousands of entries in their surviving Kígyós guest book. Among their guests, prominent members of the aristocratic world could be found, such as Counts Erdődy, Károlyi, Draskovics, Bolza, Teleki, Dessewffy, Csekonics, Zichy, Esterházy, Szapáry and Cziráky, and Barons Trauttenberg and Vécsey, as well as several lord lieutenants.
Visitors to the refurbished Wenckheim Palace can explore a magical, aristocratic world and playfully experience the traditions and customs of the aristocracy. To the north of the lake, in the depths of the Palace Park, a themed playground awaits the youngest visitors. And a new, miniature shingle-roofed doll’s house has been built on the site of the former one. The reconstructed fountain in the park will captivate the visitors of Wenckheim Palace with interactive light and sound effects.
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LOCATION
Szabadkígyós can be reached from Budapest on the M5 motorway up to Kecskemét, and from there on the main road No. 44 towards Békéscsaba. It is 218 km from Budapest. From the directions of Szeged and Debrecen, the palace can be reached by the main road No. 47. From Békéscsaba and Gyula, a minor (unnumbered) road leads to Szabadkígyós.
PARKING
Free parking is available in the temporary parking area (non-asphalted and unimproved), accessible from Áchim András Street.
By public transport
Visitors taking a bus to Szabadkígyós should get off at the Nefelejcs bus stop. From here, the palace is a 10-minute walk.
ACCESSIBILITY
The exhibition area of the palace can be accessed via the main entrance by means of the lift for disabled people. All of the ground floor spaces and facilities are wheelchair accessible. There is also an accessible washroom and a baby changing facility on this floor.
PUBLIC UTILITY/INFRASTRUCTURE
electricity, free Wi-Fi, and mobile network coverage.
ARCHITECTURAL PARAMETERS
The total floor area of the palace complex is: the total area of the plot is 3795 m2, including the park: 248,763 m2.
TECHNICAL EQUPMENT
projector, screen, flipchart, mobile stage, and sound system.
NEAREST AIRPORT
Timișoara (Temesvár) International Airport (135 km), Ferenc Liszt International Airport, Budapest (200 km).
CAPACITY TABLE
| Name and size of event rooms (m2) | Capacity (number of people) for different layouts | ||||
| Floor area m2 | Standing reception | Row of chairs | U-shaped | Round table | |
| Café | 97,98 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 |
| Library | 89,72 | 40 | 30 | – | – |
| Chapel | 72,57 | 35 | 20 | – | – |
| Tower | 6,58 | 10 | – | – | – |
| Projection room | 50,96 | 30 | 20 | – | – |
| Building C (riding stables) | 375 | 200 | 120 | – | – |
| Polo pitch | 1000 | 1000 | 500* | – | – |
* up to 300 event chairs are available on site.
