General information
Helikon Palace Museum
8360 Keszthely, Kastély str. 1.
+36 83 314 194
kiallitas@helikonkastely.hu
www.helikonkastely.hu
The Festetics Castle is one of the most famous and the third largest castles in Hungary and it is the most popular tourist attraction in Keszthely. Five permanent exhibitions and regular temporary exhibitions await the visitors in several buildings and landscaped environment all year round.
An interior exhibition presenting the aristocratic way of life in the 18th-19th century and the Helikon library, which is the only intact aristocratic private library in Hungary, as part of the exhibition are located in the central building. The main building, built in the 18th century, await its guests with candlelit guided tours by night, classical music concerts, a coffee house, an own wine shop in the cellar and a souvenir shop.
The aristocratic coach, carriage and sled collection, which has more than fifty items and is outstanding even in Europe, is located in the stable-carriage house situated in the park. Among the exhibits there are many means of transport that once belonged to famous historical people such as Archduchess Marie Valerie, Archduke Franz Ferdinand or Archduke Rudolf.
In the newest building of the Helikon Castle Museum visitors can see an exhibition that consists of more than two hundred trophies and hunting-themed fine- and applied artworks. The collection, exhibiting trophies of five continents, is made up of several collectors’ offerings. One of the largest model railway exhibitions of Europe can be found in the attic of the Hunting Museum. The Palm House, opened in 2012 and located in the park of the castle, with its exotic plants is the fresh spot in the museum complex.