Rákóczi Mansion, Felsővadász, Romantic-style mansion in Felsővadász, Hungary

Rákóczi Mansion is a two-storey building of complex ground plan with banded plastering, given its Romantic form by an 1860 rebuilding that also added the upper floor. It stands in a large courtyard that was once a famous park of rare plants; of these only a single Ginkgo biloba survived the post-war felling.

The Rákóczi family built this fortified residence in the 16th century, then it suffered severe damage in 1567 during an attack. Following this destruction, it was repeatedly rebuilt and adapted to new purposes.

The mansion has housed the area's first post office from 1871 and has served as an elementary school since 1954, a district school from 1956. Only a fraction of the Vay family's book collection and of the original furniture survives, so the rooms show school use rather than noble interiors.

The building now functions as an elementary school, so access is limited and depends on school hours and arranged visits. Check ahead about visiting opportunities to ensure you can view the site properly.

The park around the mansion once held rare plants in keeping with the fashion of the period, but these trees were felled after the Second World War. Only one Ginkgo biloba survived, and it still stands on the grounds. The mansion's furniture and the Vay family's book collection also survive only in fragments.