Amassed over 300 Years, Stolen in 3 days
This exhibition at Forchtenstein Castle is dedicated to events about one hundred years ago and clearly reveals the gaps in the collection resulting from the seizure of these works of art.
Forchtenstein Castle was extended in the 17th century under Prince Paul Esterházy I. His new Kunstkammer (cabinet of curiosities) was also enriched with objects from the treasury of his father, Count Nikolaus Esterházy, and his successors continued to add their treasures in later times. Hidden away and protected, until the early 20th century this outstanding collection was completely untouched.
Remember 1. April 1919
Then, on 1 April 1919, officials from the Hungarian Republic of Councils from Sopron appeared at Forchtenstein Castle and confiscated some 280 objects. Including precious metalwork, jewellery and textiles, these artefacts were deposited in Budapest where they have remained to this day, mostly locked away from both the general public and scholars.
