Neo-Gothic Castle of the Esterházy family
North wing
Exposition of historical gramophones
This permanent exhibition, located in the northern wing of the Neo-Gothic Castle, originates from the collection of Kristián Takács. His collection of historical gramophones and records is the result of years of work, which he is eager to share with the public. The items should be viewed as having survived both World War I and World War II, as well as a long period of modernization and digitalization. The exhibition displays mechanical music boxes, gramophones, a phonograph, a record collection, and various accessories.
Exhibition of historical object
This permanent exhibition, located in the main wing of the Neo-Gothic Castle, comes from the collection of Martin Hodina and was opened to the public on 16 March 2022. Its location is deliberately situated in a part of the Neo-Gothic Castle that has not yet been renovated, in order to highlight the ancient character of the individual artefacts on display. The collector Martin Hodina has been collecting vintage coffee trays, old - very rare - cameras and antique metal information boards for many years, which he has decided to make available to the general public in this way.
“On a spiral through the centuries” exhibition
The exposition located in the southern tower of the Neo-Gothic castle was inaugurated at the end of 2021 and opened to the public in spring 2022. The exposition on the 3rd floor brings visitors closer to the history of the Neo-Gothic Castle and the life of the Esterházy family in Galanta. The first floor is furnished with period furniture from the first half of the 19th century and presents the life of the last counts who inhabited the castle. The second floor is devoted to monumental and archaeological research and the third floor displays historical postcards showing the castle from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. In case of favourable weather, the tour includes a view from the balcony.
South tower
The renovation of the south tower of the castle was completed at the end of 2021. The exhibition "Galánta on the Spiral of Centuries", which presents the castle from a historical, architectural and cultural point of view, was installed here. The tower can be accessed via 125 steps.
Neo-Gothic castle
National Cultural Monument – The Esterházy family’s Neo-Gothic castle with its historic park is listed in the central register of cultural monuments of the Slovak Republic. The castle was originally built as a Renaissance fortress by brothers Daniel and Pál Esterházy in 1633. It was remodeled in the Baroque style in 1744, and the final Neo-Gothic renovation in 1861 gave it its current appearance.
Courtyard
The courtyard of the neo-Gothic castle is the venue for numerous social and cultural events, concerts and city festivities.
Karol Duchoň memorial room
Karol Duchoň was born in Galanta in 1950 and grew up here until he went to study at the Mechanical Engineering School in Partizánské. It was the wish of his father, the director of the mechanical engineering apprenticeship in Galanta, who did not want his only son to become a "comedian". Karol inherited his musical talent from his mother, who always supported him and stood up for him even when his father cut his first guitar.
The Park
The historic park surrounding the castle is the largest continuous green space in the city, with many old and valuable trees such as pedunculate oak, rare yew, fern, maple sycamore, Japanese chestnut and horse chestnut. Today the park provides recreation and relaxation for the city's residents.
