Zsámbék-Medence

In 1541 the Turks occupied Zsámbék at the same time as the occupation of Buda. The fortress and church were heavily damaged in the battles.

The fortress became a border castle in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Zichy family built the originally one-story palace on the remains of the medieval castle and repopulated Zsámbék primarily with Swab and Frankish settlers. The royal chamber took over as owner of the palace and estate once again in 1766. The Baroque building that we see today was constructed in the 18th century, but only took on its definitive form much later, in 1902. The former chapel is considered a rarity by virtue of its dimensions alone.

Following the change of ownership in 1766 the building complex was uninhabited and dilapidated for a hundred years, and the idea of demolition arose. However, the Swabs and Franks who had settled here at the beginning of the 18th century by then looked on the settlement as their genuine home, and the council of local artisans and peasants therefore decided to purchase and save the palace. However, they didn’t have any money left for renovation and so handed the building over to the Swiss Order of the Sisters of Mercy named after the Holy Cross in 1904, who agreed to restore it in return. They converted the palace into a provincial home for their Order, which was expanded into a square building complex, though the medieval group of buildings on the northern side of the courtyard fell victim to construction works. The sisters launched an elementary and public school for Zsámbék’s children in the renovated palace in 1905. By 1924 the building had become cramped and the palace adorned with turrets was therefore extended into a two-story building. The Order of Prémontré began to renovate the section of the building complex behind the main facade to the standards of the time in 2016.

The castle has served educational goals from the beginning of the 20th century until today.

The Order of Prémontré currently operates a 12-year high school in the building.

Zichy Palace

Zsámbék, H-2072 Zichy tér 3.

GPS: 47.324767, 18.4325

Opening hours: can be viewed from outside all-year round