Charming Hungarian baroque palace renovated and inaugurated – photos

18th century Hungarian baroque palace reborn in EUR 5.2m splurge, backed by EUR 2.59m government lifeline.

Revellers can soon reclaim the Szeleczky Palace in Boconád after a dazzling EUR 5.2 million restoration, half-funded by the state. Péter Szijjártó, the Foreign Minister, hailed the revival at Tuesday’s handover ceremony in the rural Heves county village, according to the Hungarian News Agency. While the news agency focused on his speech, local outlet heol.hu fills in the Hungarian baroque palace’s colourful past.

From noble seat to nursery and school

The U-shaped baroque gem was commissioned in 1760 by Márton Szeleczky II. It still dominates Boconád’s skyline, cradled by five acres of gardens. The entrance hall’s murals of the four seasons and the rococo frescoes in the carriage arch’s Czech vaulting are likely the work of local artist Jakab Heller from Gyöngyös.

By 1847, on the eve of revolution, it passed to the Gosztonyi family, who fled only after Hungary’s wartime defeat, Soviet occupation, and the grim march of Sovietisation. Looters stripped its furnishings; later, it housed a state farm machinery depot, with the north wing turned into a nursery. The 1980s brought scant state cash for a roof fix, classrooms in the south wing, but no full overhaul.

A total triumph of revival

Mayor István Kis revealed at the unveiling how phase one smartened the facade, swapped windows, upgraded electrics and plumbing, and revived the old nursery wing. This latest push replaced the entire roof and restored every inch inside. A TOP Plusz grant polished off the gardens too. Looking ahead, he envisions it as a visitor hub and community heart, drawing crowds to the region.

FM Szijjártó: ‘Thrilled to hand back this jewel’

We’re delighted to return this Hungarian baroque palace to Boconád and its surrounds in fitting splendour, Szijjártó declared. “Thrilled that children, youngsters, and locals can reclaim it. Thrilled it’s once more the village’s crown jewel, luring visitors.”

He added with patriotic fire: “We Hungarians cherish our history. We stand tall after the harshest trials. The bloodiest dictatorships couldn’t break our spine. We’ve outlasted every tyranny, every despot, every invasion. And we’re proud to be a thousand-year Christian nation at the heart of the Carpathian Basin.”

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