Fejér County’s jewel, the aristocratic Károlyi Castle in Fehérvárcsurgó (8052, Petőfi Street 2.), rolls out a year-long cultural calendar mixing music, botanical walks, heritage conferences, and intimate library tours. The setting is as grand as the programming: a stately residence offering high-caliber events that fit the spirit of the place.
Art, Mozart, and a star soprano
March 10 opens with The Land of Imagination – in Images and Music: soprano-artist Sylvia Sass exhibits her paintings and presents a Mozart evening with her standout student, soprano Mariana Pires, accompanied by Balázs Fülei, head of Chamber Music at the Liszt Academy. Expect world-class vocals framed by virtuoso piano in appropriately opulent surroundings.
Botanical walks through a historic park
Guided botanical tours return across the seasons: March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15, and December 20. Guests explore the 55.6-acre historic garden and nature reserve, featuring newly planted specimens from restoration work, alongside 100–170-year-old native and exotic trees, a boating lake, and a romantic belvedere (gloriette).
Conferences with a European focus
On March 20–21, a major international conference tackles European Integration and Religious Identities. Later, October 16–17 brings a Heritage Preservation conference co-organized with the University of Pécs—two days for scholars, practitioners, and culture lovers to dive deep into identity, conservation, and policy.
Easter music and Baroque dialogues
April 11 doubles up: an Easter concert by the Hangellika Choir in the chapel, and Climb the Secret Staircase!—a special library program unlocking the castle’s bibliophilic treasures. On April 18, harpsichordist Mónika Kecskés curates Sonates à deux, a German–French Baroque dialogue featuring Bach, Schaffrath, and Boismortier on period instruments.
Inside the castle library
The library program Climb the Secret Staircase! returns May 9, October 3, November 7, and December 5, offering a guided tour through the collection’s history and themes. Highlights include the legacies of historian-writer Ferenc Fejtő and genealogist-heraldist Szabolcs Vajay. Visitors can handle centuries-old volumes and learn about on-site research options.
Summer blooms, film scores, and an academy
June 5–7: the 22nd European Days of Ornamental Plants and Garden Art blossoms into an exhibition and fair. July 17 brings a night of cinema soundtracks with the Voice & Brass Band on the castle park’s island stage. August 9–16 hosts the ECHO Summer Music Academy with concerts, merging master classes and performances under the trees.
Quartets, craft, and candlelight
September 25–27 marks Quartettissimo, the 17th European String Quartet Festival. In November, Fresh Harvest (Friss termés), the 10th Contemporary Applied Arts Salon and Fair (Nov 13–15), showcases fresh design and craft. November 14 keeps tradition with the St. Elizabeth’s Day candlelit concert, while October 17 features a choral and organ recital by Gabriella Semjénné Menus in the chapel.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
