Fehérvárcsurgó’s Károlyi Castle welcomes visitors every day with a warm reception, tranquil surroundings, and aristocratic elegance set in a 124-acre park. Visits are available by guided tour only and run regardless of group size. One exception: tours are paused on January 1.
Rich History, Classic Design
The estate’s roots run deep. In 1834, the Perényi family pledged the property to Count György Károlyi; in 1853, the Károlyi family became the permanent owners through purchase. The Fehérvárcsurgó (Fehérvárcsurgó) palace was built to plans by Heinrich Koch, the same architect who remodeled the English classicist-style Károlyi Palace in Pest. Based in Vienna, Koch was represented by Miklós Ybl, the Károlyi family’s architect, who contributed to design oversight.
After Count György Károlyi died in 1877, the estate passed to his second son, Viktor. Following Viktor’s early death, ownership moved to his older brother, Gyula Károlyi. Gyula’s elder son was Mihály Károlyi, and his younger son, József Károlyi, was the grandfather of the current asset manager.
War, Nationalization, Renewal
The family was forced to leave the castle in 1944. Soldiers occupied it during the war, then the state nationalized the estate. It became a resort, later a children’s home. Preservation work began in 1980. By 2007, two pavilions and two wings were restored; in 2011, the main building reopened.
Park Giants and Guided Timetable
The park features veteran trees and giants like the princess tree, Greek fir, and horse chestnut, alongside black pine, copper beech, larch, yew, Colorado blue spruce, Turkish hazel, weeping hornbeam, and ash.
Guided tours start at 10:00, 11:30, 13:30, 15:00, and 16:30. Tours are guided only, last about 1.5 hours, and are capped at 30 people per group. Registration is mandatory due to limited spots. Buy tickets at the visitor center (annex) at least 10 minutes before your tour. On Fridays and Saturdays, events may alter the route and restrict access to event halls in use.
Tickets and Free Entry
Full-price ticket (in Hungarian or a foreign language): $9.70 per person. Discount (students, seniors): $5.54 per person. Adult group of more than 10: $6.93 per person. Family ticket (two adults, two children): $22.19. Free for residents of Fehérvárcsurgó (Fehérvárcsurgó), children under 6, and visitors with disabilities.
Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs.
