SK, Krasnohorske Pohdhradie – Frantiska and Dionysus Andrassy Mausoleum

It is not far from one of the most beautiful and most preserved Slovakian castles, - Krasna Horka Castle . In 2012, due to lack of oversight a devastating fire appeared and burned the place down. Thus, these days it is renovated. Near it is one of the most beautiful Art Noveau landmarks in Slovakia. It is Frantiska and Dionysus Andrassy Mausoleum. We will talk more about it today.

The history of a huge estate of the Andrassy family is rich enough to write countless reports on it. To know at least part of it, in addition to beautiful chateau and Krasna Horka that has a large English-style park in Betliar, it is necessary to visit the mausoleum in the Lower Castle of Krasna Horka.

You can learn more on Betliar  HERE.        More about Krasna Horka castle is available  HERE.

How to get to the Andrassy Mausoleum?

You would hardly miss it. The mausoleum is located in the town of Krasnohorske Podhradie, along the road connecting Roznava and Kosice. You can leave your iron steed on a temporary parking lot near a house with a box office, adjacent to the mausoleum.

The Andrassy Mausoleum

This extremely interesting and architecturally unique building is one of the most beautiful and most valuable buildings of Art Nouveau in Slovakia. It dates to 1904 and it is the final resting place of Count Dionysus Andrassy and his wife Countess Frances, nee Hablawetzova. The last male representative of the Monocka branch of the Andrassy family built thisstructure after the death of his wife. She died in 1902 in Munich, Germany, where they buried her there temporarily. Soon, in the second year after she died, her remains were transported and laid in the mausoleum in Krasnohorske Podhradie. When Dionysus Andrassy died in 1913 in Sicily, his remains were transported to Slovakia and laid next to his wife’s. It is important to mention a group of Munich artists who took their part in building this place. The architect of the mausoleum was Richard Berndl, 28 years of age. The construction was made by Karel Schmucker, Max Frick created statues and stone sarcophaguses. Karel Throll did paintings. Golden and iron equipment were made by Adolf Mayerhoffer.

The mausoleum itself is located in the center of paved courtyard surrounded by a three and half meters tall wall. The wall ends with two huge pillars. When entering, note two beautiful angels in more than-life size scale. Those who pay more attention will note a scribing saying Pax (Peace), on paving right in front of a staircase. The mausoleum and the wall are made of white sandstone transported here from Soskut, near Budapest. The surrounding compound consist of vast yet not very well-maintained prak. There are several statues to catch your attention. The most popular is probably a statue of dachshund made of red marble, a loyal friend of the man and his wife .

. I think it is not necessary to describe this landmark more in detail. A unique image of this unique building will remain in your memory only if you visit it yourself. I highly recommend you to visit the mausoleum.

Text: O. Maňáková

Photo: O. Mažgút