Körmend Palace Park - Palace Park - Palace Gardens
Körmend Palace Park – Palace Park / Palace Gardens
Palace Park, also known as Palace Gardens, belonging to Körmend Palace, is one of Hungary's most significant historical gardens. Covering an area of nearly 40 hectares, it has a history spanning centuries and exceptional plant life, it ranks among the most important palace gardens in Hungary.
🌿 Historical overview
The beginnings – 17th century
The first known mention of the palace gardens dates back to 1620, when it functioned as a vegetable garden covering only 2 acres.
At that time, the area was still connected to the castle's defense system and did not serve as an ornamental garden.
The Batthyány era – 18th century
The Batthyány family acquired the Körmend estate in 1604, and played a decisive role in the development of the castle and park in the following centuries.
The creation of the French Baroque garden
Between 1720 and 1799, the Batthyány family created a French-style garden, with an axial layout, which was considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Hungary at the time. The area was expanded to 92 acres by this time.
Characteristic features of the era:
• long, straight tree-lined avenues
• symmetrical axial system
• ornamental ponds and groups of statues
• representative entrance gate with Hercules statues
Among the park's artistic treasures, the works of the Viennese sculptor Fischer stand out, for example:
• Zephyrus and Flora
• Vertumnus and Pomona
The 19th century – English landscape garden
In the 1820s, the park was partially converted into an English landscape garden , which created a more natural, softer, romantic atmosphere.
However, the triple axis system of the French garden was retained, two of which can still be seen today.
It was then that the obelisk erected around 1820 was placed in the center of the park, which pays tribute to the distinguished members of the Batthyány family with the family coat of arms and a bronze plaque.
At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, dozens of exotic tree and shrub species were planted, many of which can still be found today. A special feature of the park is that it is not uncommon to find two-meter-diameter, several hundred-year-old trees here.
🌳 The significance and values of the Palace Gardens
Palace Park in Körmend is considered one of the ten most important historical gardens in Hungary.
Its outstanding value lies in the fact that:
• its large area has remained almost intact,
• Baroque and English garden design elements are harmoniously present,
• the plant life is exceptionally rich and old,
• the palace and the park form an organic whole.
Palace Gardens is a nationally protected nature reserve located in the northeastern part of Körmend.
In the 19th century, the place was also called "Venus's Garden," referring to its romantic atmosphere and beauty.
🏰 The connection between the palace and the park
Körmend palace, also known as Batthyány-Strattmann Palace – was built in the 18th century in Baroque style, and later expanded with Classicist features.
The palace and the park together form the most important historical monument complex in the town.
The main approach is via a tree-lined road leading from Rába, which arrives at a gate decorated with Hercules statues.
Today, the palace houses the Dr. Batthyány-Strattmann László Museum, which presents the history of the family and the cultural heritage of the area.
🌼 The present day Várkert
Palace Park in Körmend today:
• is open to visitors,
• a popular walking spot for locals and tourists,
• a venue for cultural and community events,
• a nature conservation area where both historical horticulture and natural values have been preserved.
In maintaining the park, efforts are made to:
• preserve the structure of the historical gardens,
• maintain the old tree population,
• restore the works of art and built elements,
• ensured a peaceful, nature-oriented experience for visitors.
In the recent past, several exhibitions and research projects have focused on the history of Palace Gardens, emphasizing its three-century-long significance in the history of gardening.
✨ Summary
The park of Körmend palace is not just a beautiful green space, but living history:
a unique combination of Baroque representation, a romantic English garden, and the heritage of the Batthyány family.
For anyone visiting Körmend, exploring the Palace Gardens is an unmissable experience – a walk that combines the elegance of the past with the timeless beauty of nature.