Renovated Andrássy Mansion in Tiszadob
To be a museum, events centre and research base
MúzeumCafé 26.
Renovation of the Andrássy Mansion in Tiszadob in eastern Hungary has been eagerly awaited by many people for years and the project to turn the mansion and its grounds into a cultural and tourist centre eventually got underway. Plans under the supervision of architects Zoboki-Demeter & Associates were drawn up for the investment totalling 2.2 billion forints, of which over 1.7 billion came from the European Union. Reconstruction began in 2010 and is now nearing completion. In addition to the first floor study and living room of Eleonóra Zichy (1887-1945), the widow of Tivadar Andrássy and later wife of Gyula Andrássy the younger, the belvedere is also open to the public. From its balcony Katinka Andrássy Károlyi, who was born in the mansion, would note “when the big white Mercedes appeared on the driveway by the golf course”. Following research into the furnishing of the historical rooms it has been possible to identify and obtain a significant number of original items. Besides purchases, loans from museums have made authentic reconstruction possible. The permanent exhibition recalls the history of not only the Tiszadob mansion but also other Andrássy palatial properties (for example those in Betliar and Trebišov in Slovakia), while the temporary exhibitions are primarily the result of cooperation with the Mansion Museum in Betliar. The Andrássy Mansion’s events spaces have been designated with a view to cultural tourism and a very important aspect has been the development of the appropriate infrastructure (accessibility, a restaurant, security and all that is necessary to service the mansion complex). Among the tasks of the future National Andrássy Research Centre will be exchange exhibitions and developing a permanent presence.