Gödöllõ is less than 20 miles north-east of Budapest. Visitors from all over the world make this small diversion in order to see the beautifully restored Royal Palace. This was the favoured residence of Queen Elizabeth, who was affectionately known as Sissy and was the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. Although Austrian the popular queen was very pro-Hungarian. Restoration work in the palace is likely to continue for some years yet. Several wings are ready already, but one of the projects that has only been fairly recently been completed is the reconstruction of the delightful baroque theatre. It is now the venue for performances of chamber music and opera. An interesting exhibition shows the state of dilapidation the palace was left in by the Russians. The Royal Pavilion in the grounds has also been reopened, and it is decorated with portraits of the various rulers of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Today the palace is also used as a select conference venue.

 

Town with more than 30,000 inhabitants 30 km from Budapest at M3 motorway.

The former Grassalkovich Palace, later a state royal summer residence, is one of the most outstanding examples of rural baroque architecture in Hungary (1744-1750).
Maria Theresa visited the Palace in 1751, and in 1849 it was the general headquarters of the Hungarian Army. After 1867 it functioned as the summer residence of Francis Joseph and Queen Elisabeth.
Hamvay mansion built in the second half of the 17th century is the oldest building of the town, currently used as the Palace Museum.
Relics of the Baroque era include the church of Máriabesnyő known as a famous place of pilgrimage, the Holy Virgin column in the main square of the town (1749) and the Calvary in Erzsébet Park (1771).
The baroque Calvinist church was built in 1745. The famous domed "stable-mansion" is at Babati-puszta.

Colony of artists of European fame settled in Gödöllő between 1901 and 1920; it was the only Art Nouveau association organized in Hungary. With Saint Stephen University (former Premonstrant monastery and secondary school) Gödöllő is a major scientific centre.

Exhibition places include the City Museum, Royal Palace Museum, Museum of Development of Agricultural Instruments and Machines; Apiarian Collection. Prominent programs of the town: Palace Concerts - Chamber-music Festival. A special sight is the Gödöllő Town Library and Information Centre, which can be considered to be a library of the 21th century.