The Tisza Castle in the village of Geszt is a significant heritage site deeply rooted in Hungarian history. Its foundations were laid in the 18th century by a man “seeking to stake out his claim”, László I Tisza – he did not build a castle, but worked when he had to, guiding the plough and weaving fences with the village folks, and from the flourishing estate he created, a dynasty of committed, patriotic politicians emerged.
The history of the Tiszas shows the values of a close-knit family that is proud of its traditions. The founder of the estate shared the best qualities with his most esteemed descendants: he was always vigorous, clear-sighted, responsible, persevering, headstrong like a true puritan and strong in his Calvinist faith. Among his descendants there are great personalities, tough figures, gentle poets and generous ladies, like the characters in a novel by the famous Hungarian author Mór Jókai. One of them is the “man with hundred arms,” the “count of Szeged,” Lajos Tisza, who we can thank for many symbolic buildings in Budapest and more. The family gave two prime ministers to the country. One of them, Kálmán Tisza – who was called respectfully “the white-haired giant” by the poet Endre Ady – brought about one of the most prosperous times in Hungary in the modern era.
His son was István Tisza, who was recognised as “the smartest man in Hungary” even by his enemies and was condemned for his so-called fixations – the preservation of historic Hungary and his foreboding about an imminent world war. The dramatic climax of the exhibition is his fate: in the Crown Council he was the only one who was against the world war, yet he was eventually treated as a “scapegoat for the war.”
From the castle, the Tisza family crypt is just a few minutes’ walk. This is the resting place of 33 members of the family: young people with great potential who died too early, exceptionally talented family members, men of the Tisza family, their wives and children. The history of the family nest in Geszt is similar to many castles in Hungary: it was taken by the Soviet army, the books from its library were thrown into the mud and used for heating, and there was a time when chicken were raised here. The restoration of this building to its former glory has long been overdue and the castle now needs to be given a role that is worthy of its past. Considering the history and the great, outstanding members of the Tisza family, it is just natural that this village near the border should become a place of pilgrimage. This perspective promises advancement, new cultural values, tourism and job opportunities, reconnecting this remote, quiet village with the rest of the country.
János Lázár
Minister of Construction and Transport
