Carriage Exhibition
The Carriage Exhibition invites visitors into the world of horse-drawn vehicles associated with the lifestyle of the 18th–19th century Hungarian nobility. In addition to coaches, carriages, and sleighs, the exhibition features various equestrian-related artifacts and works of fine art, offering a rich and colorful glimpse into the period.
The core of the exhibition consists of more than 60 horse-drawn vehicles—coaches, carriages, and sleighs—connected to noble life in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The building that houses today’s carriage museum was originally the stable and carriage house at the center of the Keszthely Festetics estate. It was constructed by Tasziló II. Festetics during the castle’s last major expansion between 1883 and 1887. The ground floor housed the horses and vehicles used by the family for daily transportation, while the upper floor provided accommodations for the grooms and castle staff.
Gallery
After 1945, the building was used by the military for a few years, and later became the property of the local city council, which rented out the rooms to various companies. Over the years, the building fell into considerable disrepair. Restoration aimed at returning it to its original condition was completed in January 2004, when the building opened to the public together with the permanent exhibition.
The exhibition primarily showcases horse-drawn vehicles linked to the noble lifestyle of the 18th and 19th centuries. The core collection comes from an Austrian private collector, Werner Guster. Thanks to donations from other museums and private individuals, as well as systematic restoration and refurbishment, the exhibition continues to grow.
Galéria
The collection is considered significant in Europe and stands out for its diversity among similar themed collections. The exhibition is designed not only to impress visually but also to provide a historical overview of carriage driving. The displayed vehicles illustrate the technical and mechanical development of coaches and carriages, offering insight into the golden age of carriage and coachbuilding—from Bronze Age chariots, through the first named carriages of King Matthias’s era, to vehicles used in modern carriage driving sports.
The exhibition highlights the development of Hungarian carriage culture and horsemanship, which played a major role across Europe, while also introducing visitors to the carriage traditions of Western European countries.
A particularly interesting feature of the exhibition is the presence of carriages and coaches that once belonged to famous historical figures, such as Archduchess Maria Valerie’s travel coach, Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s park carriage, and Crown Prince Rudolf’s sand sledge.
In addition to carriages and coaches, the exhibition includes a unique collection of sleighs. Their large number and variety provide a comprehensive view of winter transportation customs associated with noble life. Thanks to a private collection, the exhibition also gives insight into the early period of mechanized transportation, showcasing rare vintage vehicles and the fascinating world of early motoring.
The Festetics family played a prominent role in horse racing during their era. They entered many notable horses on Europe’s prestigious racetracks, achieving remarkable results. The exhibition dedicates a special room to commemorate these successes.
Visitors can also explore the castle’s equestrian life through period photographs. Based on original images, the exhibition illustrates how central horses and carriages were to life at the castle. In a separate room, related equipment from different eras is displayed, including harnesses, saddles, riding whips, and other equestrian tools.
The average duration of viewing the exhibition is approximately 30 minutes.