Nagycenk
Nagycenk is situated in the bottom of the Alps, 12 km from Sopron, 38 km from Kőszeg and 53 km from Szombathely.
The first written mention of the settlement dates back to 1291.
The village was created by the merger of two villages, Nagycenk and Kiscenk, in 1892. The area around the village has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In 1532, the Turks raided and burnt the village, part of the population perished and was replaced by Croatian settlers. In 1677, Archbishop György Széchenyi acquired the entire Sárvár-Highland manor, including the two Cenks, by way of a pledge. Around 1750, Count Antal Széchenyi moved to Kiscenk and built the present-day buildings of the castle.In 1863 a new roman-catholic church was built based ont he design of Miklós Ybl. In 1895, a steam mill is built in Kiscenk. In 1959, farmers' cooperatives are established. In the 1960s, construction work started in the village: a new pharmacy, a kindergarten, a health centre, a day care centre for the elderly, a dentist's office and a new post office. In 1973, the first building of the castle, the István Széchenyi Memorial Museum, was completed, and then a stud farm and riding school were opened on the site of the old stables. The Széchenyi Museum Railway was built. In the 1980s, the rest of the castle was renovated, the other building of the museum and the castle hotel were furnished. In addition to the educational institutions, there is also a library in the village.
The municipality covers an area of 19.45 km2 and has 2,700 inhabitants.
Route planning
The name of Nagycenk is linked to the Széchenyi family. Nagycenk and its surroundings were the estate of the Széchenyi family. Here lived Count Ferenc Széchényi, the founder of the Hungarian National Museum, and his son, Count István Széchenyi, "the greatest Hungarian". Their former village still preserves their memory. Széchenyi Castle is one of the most beautiful rural castles in Hungary. The István Széchenyi Memorial Museum in the main building in the middle of the park introduces the visitor to the life's work of the Széchenyi family. The Széchenyi Museum Railway in Nagycenki offers a nostalgic journey. The locomotive skansen is a reminder of the past of small Hungarian railways. The Szent István Roman Catholic Church in Nagycenk was also built by the Széchenyi family. The square in front of the church is dominated by a statue of Count István Széchenyi. Our historical pilgrimage site, the Széchenyi Mausoleum, is located in the nearby cemetery. Baroque sculptures along the roadside and the referendum memorial fountain tell the story of Nagycenk's past. The Ilona farm between Nagycenk and Hidegség is a horse base. The Gloriette, built by Count Ferenc Széchényi, is a popular lookout in the area.
Special features:
Széchenyi Castle, István Széchenyi Memorial Museum, Castle Hotel
The reconstruction of the castle was a long time coming after its destruction during the war. After the reconstruction, it was not decided for a long time what function the former residence of the count would serve. Reconstruction work began in 1969, and by then it had been decided that the building would house an exhibition on the life of István Széchenyi. The collection of the István Széchenyi Memorial Museum is the largest in the country dedicated to a historical figure.
Dr. Attila Környei, historian and director of the museum until his death in 2000, was a great contributor to the collection and coordination of the museum's professional work.
The Széchenyi István Széchenyi Memorial Museum in Nagycenk is the founder of the National Széchenyi Circle, which was founded in 1975.
The main building was completed in 1973, the western part of the building, called the Széchenyi Wing, in 1985.
The main building of the Museum, on the ground floor, houses an exhibition of the life of István Széchenyi.
Here you can see, for example, the furnishings of Széchenyi's ministerial study, which was made available to the museum by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
It is also here that you can see exhibits on the history of the family and on Ferenc Széchényi.
In the upstairs rooms, you can see István Széchenyi's public life, economic activities and technical works. In the Great Hall you can see the only remaining Rococo stove in the castle, and on the walls are paintings by renowned artists depicting István Széchenyi and other members of the family.
It also contains material and pictures relating to river regulation (Danube, Tisza), transport development (steam navigation, railways), the modernisation and construction of the road network, as well as documents on modern beaver farming, horse, sheep and silkworm breeding, and steam mill construction.
In the corridor, for example, the history of the construction of the Chain Bridge can be traced, with a special exhibit being the silver spoon used to lay the foundation stone.
In the cross-wing of the building, on the upper floor of the Széchenyi wing, is the National Museum of Technology:
"Hungarian industry from Széchenyi to the 20th century", was given a permanent exhibition space.
At the end of the protected park of the castle, at the end of the protected 2700m long linden tree (planted in 1753) with the gravestone of Béla Széchenyi and his wife
Cemetery with the Széchenyi family chapel and crypt (1778, 1816)
Church of St Stephen (1864)
In the centre of Nagycenk, at the highest point of Széchenyi Square, stands the parish church named after St Stephen. Its history goes back more than seven centuries. The first mention of the church dates back to 1291, when it was mentioned in a deed of possession, then called Mindszentek. In 1326, a charter mentions the same location as today.
Statue of István Széchenyi (1893)
Museum railway and locomotive skansen
The Széchenyi Museum Railway in Nagycenk was built in the early 1970s in two phases, with a total length of 3.6 km. The aim of the project was to collect and preserve the values of the then rapidly dwindling number of small railways. In addition to the railway track, the Nagycenk terminus also houses a vehicle collection. From April to October, the railway runs on weekends.
Nagycenk accommodation:
Széchenyi Castle Hotel
The Széchenyi Kastélyszálló is located in a 15-acre ancient park.
0699/360-061
info@szechenyikastelyszallo.hu
Nagycenk, Kiscenki út 3.
www.szechenyikastelyszallo.hu
Pension Platan
On the upper floor of the restaurant there is a pension with four rooms for those who want to relax.
0699/361-300
platannagycenk@gmail.com
Nagycenk, Iskola u. 17/A
www.platanetterem-nagycenk.hu
Kuckó Guest House
The Kuckó Guesthouse is primarily of interest to families, groups of friends and small groups.
0630/200-3028
jaszberenyi.klara@vipmail.hu
Nagycenk, Rákóczi u. 39.
www.vendegszoba.hu
Nagycenk catering facilities:
Platán Restaurant
Platan restaurant, located in the Rákáncán Square, in the centre of the Rákáncán area.
0699/361-300
platannagycenk@gmail.com
Nagycenk, Iskola u. 17/A
www.platanetterem-nagycenk.hu
Csikós Tavern
The Csikós Csárda restaurant offers a wide range of domestic and international cuisine.
0670/364-8312
info@csikoscsarda.hu
Nagycenk, Vámrét u. 1.
www.csikoscsarda.hu
The first written mention of the settlement dates back to 1291.
The village was created by the merger of two villages, Nagycenk and Kiscenk, in 1892. The area around the village has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In 1532, the Turks raided and burnt the village, part of the population perished and was replaced by Croatian settlers. In 1677, Archbishop György Széchenyi acquired the entire Sárvár-Highland manor, including the two Cenks, by way of a pledge. Around 1750, Count Antal Széchenyi moved to Kiscenk and built the present-day buildings of the castle.In 1863 a new roman-catholic church was built based ont he design of Miklós Ybl. In 1895, a steam mill is built in Kiscenk. In 1959, farmers' cooperatives are established. In the 1960s, construction work started in the village: a new pharmacy, a kindergarten, a health centre, a day care centre for the elderly, a dentist's office and a new post office. In 1973, the first building of the castle, the István Széchenyi Memorial Museum, was completed, and then a stud farm and riding school were opened on the site of the old stables. The Széchenyi Museum Railway was built. In the 1980s, the rest of the castle was renovated, the other building of the museum and the castle hotel were furnished. In addition to the educational institutions, there is also a library in the village.
The municipality covers an area of 19.45 km2 and has 2,700 inhabitants.
Route planning
The name of Nagycenk is linked to the Széchenyi family. Nagycenk and its surroundings were the estate of the Széchenyi family. Here lived Count Ferenc Széchényi, the founder of the Hungarian National Museum, and his son, Count István Széchenyi, "the greatest Hungarian". Their former village still preserves their memory. Széchenyi Castle is one of the most beautiful rural castles in Hungary. The István Széchenyi Memorial Museum in the main building in the middle of the park introduces the visitor to the life's work of the Széchenyi family. The Széchenyi Museum Railway in Nagycenki offers a nostalgic journey. The locomotive skansen is a reminder of the past of small Hungarian railways. The Szent István Roman Catholic Church in Nagycenk was also built by the Széchenyi family. The square in front of the church is dominated by a statue of Count István Széchenyi. Our historical pilgrimage site, the Széchenyi Mausoleum, is located in the nearby cemetery. Baroque sculptures along the roadside and the referendum memorial fountain tell the story of Nagycenk's past. The Ilona farm between Nagycenk and Hidegség is a horse base. The Gloriette, built by Count Ferenc Széchényi, is a popular lookout in the area.
Special features:
Széchenyi Castle, István Széchenyi Memorial Museum, Castle Hotel
The reconstruction of the castle was a long time coming after its destruction during the war. After the reconstruction, it was not decided for a long time what function the former residence of the count would serve. Reconstruction work began in 1969, and by then it had been decided that the building would house an exhibition on the life of István Széchenyi. The collection of the István Széchenyi Memorial Museum is the largest in the country dedicated to a historical figure.
Dr. Attila Környei, historian and director of the museum until his death in 2000, was a great contributor to the collection and coordination of the museum's professional work.
The Széchenyi István Széchenyi Memorial Museum in Nagycenk is the founder of the National Széchenyi Circle, which was founded in 1975.
The main building was completed in 1973, the western part of the building, called the Széchenyi Wing, in 1985.
The main building of the Museum, on the ground floor, houses an exhibition of the life of István Széchenyi.
Here you can see, for example, the furnishings of Széchenyi's ministerial study, which was made available to the museum by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
It is also here that you can see exhibits on the history of the family and on Ferenc Széchényi.
In the upstairs rooms, you can see István Széchenyi's public life, economic activities and technical works. In the Great Hall you can see the only remaining Rococo stove in the castle, and on the walls are paintings by renowned artists depicting István Széchenyi and other members of the family.
It also contains material and pictures relating to river regulation (Danube, Tisza), transport development (steam navigation, railways), the modernisation and construction of the road network, as well as documents on modern beaver farming, horse, sheep and silkworm breeding, and steam mill construction.
In the corridor, for example, the history of the construction of the Chain Bridge can be traced, with a special exhibit being the silver spoon used to lay the foundation stone.
In the cross-wing of the building, on the upper floor of the Széchenyi wing, is the National Museum of Technology:
"Hungarian industry from Széchenyi to the 20th century", was given a permanent exhibition space.
At the end of the protected park of the castle, at the end of the protected 2700m long linden tree (planted in 1753) with the gravestone of Béla Széchenyi and his wife
Cemetery with the Széchenyi family chapel and crypt (1778, 1816)
Church of St Stephen (1864)
In the centre of Nagycenk, at the highest point of Széchenyi Square, stands the parish church named after St Stephen. Its history goes back more than seven centuries. The first mention of the church dates back to 1291, when it was mentioned in a deed of possession, then called Mindszentek. In 1326, a charter mentions the same location as today.
Statue of István Széchenyi (1893)
Museum railway and locomotive skansen
The Széchenyi Museum Railway in Nagycenk was built in the early 1970s in two phases, with a total length of 3.6 km. The aim of the project was to collect and preserve the values of the then rapidly dwindling number of small railways. In addition to the railway track, the Nagycenk terminus also houses a vehicle collection. From April to October, the railway runs on weekends.
Nagycenk accommodation:
Széchenyi Castle Hotel
The Széchenyi Kastélyszálló is located in a 15-acre ancient park.
0699/360-061
info@szechenyikastelyszallo.hu
Nagycenk, Kiscenki út 3.
www.szechenyikastelyszallo.hu
Pension Platan
On the upper floor of the restaurant there is a pension with four rooms for those who want to relax.
0699/361-300
platannagycenk@gmail.com
Nagycenk, Iskola u. 17/A
www.platanetterem-nagycenk.hu
Kuckó Guest House
The Kuckó Guesthouse is primarily of interest to families, groups of friends and small groups.
0630/200-3028
jaszberenyi.klara@vipmail.hu
Nagycenk, Rákóczi u. 39.
www.vendegszoba.hu
Nagycenk catering facilities:
Platán Restaurant
Platan restaurant, located in the Rákáncán Square, in the centre of the Rákáncán area.
0699/361-300
platannagycenk@gmail.com
Nagycenk, Iskola u. 17/A
www.platanetterem-nagycenk.hu
Csikós Tavern
The Csikós Csárda restaurant offers a wide range of domestic and international cuisine.
0670/364-8312
info@csikoscsarda.hu
Nagycenk, Vámrét u. 1.
www.csikoscsarda.hu