At the table! A princely banquet.
From May 2025, Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt invites visitors on an extraordinary journey back in time to the world of the aristocracy: an opulent banqueting table in the White Hall takes visitors back to the sumptuous dining culture around 1800, when the aristocracy dined in luxurious surroundings.
Porcelain has always been a symbol of wealth and refinement - the “white gold“ was a coveted luxury item that only the wealthiest families in Europe could afford. The Esterházy princes were among the greatest collectors of these precious works of art. Their tables were set with ornately decorated Sèvres porcelain, exquisite crystal glasses and magnificent silver cutlery, while candlesticks, mirror tableaux and elaborately designed centrepieces created an impressive setting.
In this new exhibition, visitors can experience at first hand how courtly life was organised in the period around 1800. Historical accounts tell of lavish parties, banquets accompanied by music and festive balls that characterised the social life of the European elite. The tables were laid for illustrious guests, including the Empress of Austria Maria Ludovica, famous archdukes, the British naval hero Horatio Nelson and members of Europe's leading aristocratic houses.
The carefully preserved service pieces from the Sèvres manufactory, delicate porcelain figurines, richly embroidered table linen and gleaming silver cutlery reflect the opulent splendour of bygone times. Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of princely court society, where every detail - from the menu to the elaborate table decorations - was part of a sophisticated social ritual.
