A comprehensive series of investments concluded with the rebirth of the Baroque jewel of Békés

The renovated Tisza Castle in Geszti was inaugurated on 4 June, on the Day of National Unity, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also gave a speech at the event. The Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium (ÉKM) project was carried out by a consortium of WEST HUNGÁRIA BAU Kft. and Build It Mérnökiroda Kft.. The renovated castle will be open to the public from 5 June.

Rescued from a state of disrepair

The three-storey, Baroque-style castle was built in the second half of the 18th century by the Tisza family in the settlement of Békés county. The historical significance of the building, which is more than 250 years old, is enhanced by the fact that it was also the home of two prominent figures of the Tisza family, two prime ministers, first Kálmán Tisza and then István Tisza. In keeping with its importance, the building was significantly modernised at the beginning of the last century, using the most modern equipment of the time.

At the end of the Second World War, however, all its equipment was destroyed, and after the war it served many functions. After the change of regime, the building deteriorated steadily and by the 21st century it was in a state of disrepair, so renovation was a constant agenda. In 2016, the government decided to renovate the complex on the proposal of the Prime Minister's Office.

Some 20 hectares of parkland have also been restored

The aim of the HUF 13.5 billion investment was to restore the building complex to its original state, which required both technical and aesthetic renovation, as well as renewal of content and services. In addition to the buildings, 20 hectares of parkland have been restored, which will provide a wide range of leisure and outdoor activities.

The history of the Tisza family and contemporary Hungary is presented in a 1000 square metre permanent exhibition of 25 sites, organised around four characteristic themes - politics, church, family and culture - covering a total of 25 sites. The exhibition includes documents and artefacts never before shown in Hungarian exhibition spaces.

The works also included the development of accommodation: 28 rooms and a dining room with a capacity of 50 people were created for domestic and international guests under the name Arany János Guest House. The project also included the reconstruction of the Arany János Memorial House and the Tisza crypt outside the village, as well as the renovation of the road leading to it.

Hungarians chose life instead of death

At the inauguration ceremony of the castle on Tuesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that on this day of national unity, in the shadow of another war, history will be condensed in Geszth. He recalled that 104 years ago on this day, the Hungarians lost two-thirds of their country to a devastating war, and a third of their people were driven behind foreign borders. "Yet it did not choose resignation and oblivion, but struggle and survival", the Prime Minister said.

He also recalled that the death of István Tisza, who used to live in the castle, meant not only the loss of a great man, not only the loss of a great prime minister, but also the painful end of a historical era. "After all these years, it is clear that the Trianon Dictate was the death of our nation. But the great powers, used to colonialism, did not know the character of the Hungarians."

"Today we must undertake to do what Prime Minister István Tisza failed to do: to prevent Hungary from taking part in another European war", Mr Orbán said, adding that our chances of doing so are better than they have been for 110 years. "We are sovereign, and sovereignty is the business and right of every Hungarian."

Not only the castle was renovated in Geszten

The eight-year development programme for Geszt and its region in Békés county was also completed on 4 June, ÉKM announced on Tuesday. In addition to the renovation of the castle, a new primary school, kindergarten and gym were built, the church was renewed, and internal and external roads were also renovated.

They added that, including other earlier investments, including road improvements in the region, more than HUF 20 billion has been invested in Geszte and its surroundings over the past 8 years.