What stories could these walls tell? The Malonyai-kastély stands before us. It is a testament to time and transformation.
The Malonyai-kastély is in Halásztelek. It is located at Rákóczi Ferenc utca 60. This eclectic building showcases a predominantly neo-Baroque style. It was constructed in 1892.
Imagine the property in its heyday. It had more than one-hectare park. The layout mirrored classic castles. It comprised a main building and an annex. The annex was unfortunately halved by a World War II bomb.
Originally the Warman family owned it. Later the Malonyai family acquired it. The building and surrounding land were theirs. However, the occupying troops looted it at the end of World War II.
The park suffered greatly. Its trees were felled. Much of it was filled with construction debris. This happened during post-war clean-up efforts. A housing estate was then built. Only the one-hectare area around the Malonyai-kastély remained intact. The fountain was dismantled. The shrubs disappeared.
For a long time the building stood empty. Later, TSZ offices moved in. Then the Pestvidéki Gépgyár used it. This company repaired aircraft. Service apartments were also created. The local council then took ownership. Major structural changes followed. A reinforced concrete floor created an upper level.
By the 1980s, the Malonyai-kastély fell into disrepair. Neither the council nor the community could afford to save it. Finally, in 2005 Austrian investors renovated it. Tamás Pintér and Zoltán Deák based their plans on the original design.
Today we can admire its original splendor again. The magnificent marble staircases are gone though. They once led from the outside to the side entrances. The old carriage house was also demolished. It did not suit the classicizing late Baroque style. Many mistakenly believed it was from the 20th century. In reality, it was for horse-drawn carriages. It was likely built in the late 19th or early 20th century.
For the past 10 years, an Austrian-Hungarian company managed it. The Malonyai-kastély hosts weddings concerts and conferences. In 2017, the Municipality of Halásztelek purchased the castle. After renovations, the Mayor’s Office moved into this beautiful building. The festive re-opening was on August 20, 2017. The Malonyai-kastély now serves as a point of local pride. It has a rich history and a promising future.