The castle that was built for 40 years, by one man

Once upon a time, in the beginning of the 20th century, there was an architect and sculptor, who single-handedly built up an eclectic-romantic castle dedicated to his wife, whom he loved with all of his heart. It took 40 years! The building is situated in the northeast wineyard area of Székesfehérvár.

The front of the castle. Photo: Kalemandra

The builder

Jenő Bory was born in 9th November 1879 in Székesfehérvár, in a family of seven children. His father was a locksmith master, who took care to his children's education. He was graduated from Székesfehérvár high school in real terms, then enrolled to the architect faculty of József Nádor Technical College, from where he graduated in 1903.

Bust of the creator. Photo: Kalemandra

He was a sculptor teacher of the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts from 1918, and the Technical College from 1920.

View from the top of the tower. Photo: Kalemandra

The monument of eternal love

In 1912, he bought a plot of land with a house in the wineyard of Székesfehérvár, then, some years later he began to expand the house which has gradually been grown to a 100 column castle and was dedicated to his beloved wife, Ilona.

His beloved wife, Ilona. Photo: Kalemandra

Built-in fragments. Photo: Kalemandra

Ferro-concrete, as a material of romantic architecture?

Unbelievable, but true! The castle and most of the associate sculptures were typically built from concrete, which was a modern building material at the beginning of the 20th century.

Application of concrete was in pilot phase in Hungary that time. Jenő Bory was a pioneer architect who used this new material. That time, he still didn't know all the possibilities of application of reinforced concrete, so the old styles of stone carving had been imitated with molded concrete.

Detail of the 100 column yard of the castle. Photo: Kalemandra

The castle is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest building in what one man single-handedly built with his own hands.

The ravages of World War 2

He lived in the Bory castle during the World War 2, in the middle of the front. All the towers were collapsed by bombing. The statues were targets for shooting, the paintings were split by soviet soldiers. He spent his retirement years in the castle with restoration, and was a guide there until his death.

His motto: "Playing is the art of children, art is the playing of the adults." Photo: Kalemandra

Baby brought by stork. Photo: Kalemandra

The castle today

The castle is a museum, opened on weekends and holidays. Closed in winter.

Collective exhibition from the beginning of 20th century. Photo: Kalemandra

Various programs take place here each year.
On Children's Day, fairy tales come to life for children, where families can take place on various exciting and funny rehearsals. Kids can relive the adventures of fairy-tale heroes.
JamBoree is a great world music festival every summer, linked to the Contemporary Art Festival of Székesfehérvár.

Photos: kortarsfesztival.hu