At Gyor we leave the Hungarian State Railway and take the train for Sopron. We traverse a fertile plain, formed by the two arms of the Raab, one of the blessed "granaries" of Hungary. Soon, not far from the Raab River, the noble Esterhazy Castle appears. A hundred and fifty years ago the splendour-loving Prince Nicholas Joseph Esterhazy erected a castle on this spot, which was then a desolate marshy district. It vied in splendour and; luxury with (hat of Versailles, of which it was a copy. The new castle soon won renown, and was often the scene of magnificent festivities, which in brilliance and splendour surpassed even those of emperors and Kings. The visit of Queen Maria Theresa and the installation of Anton Esterházy as Sheriff were festivities of royal splendour. During thirty years the Esterhazy castle (in whose walls the celebrated composer Joseph Haydn was for some time Director of Music) shone with magnificence, unequalled in the annals of the Hungarian aristocracy. After the death of the extravagant Prince, the Castle closed its doors and was almost forgotten. The treasures of art which had accumulated there, among others the Esterhazy Picture Gallery, -- today the National Gallery -- were removed to Vienna and the noble Castle abandoned to ruin. A few tears ago it was restored by its present owner Prince Nicholas Esterhazy and shines again in its original splendour.

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Adapted from Illustrated Description of Hungary and its Capital