The artificial ruins
in the Landscape-garden
Although
all the descriptions of his age praised the natural beauty of the park,
the count was not content with it. In 1785, he entrusted the French Charles
Moreau with designing some sentimental buildings in the park. The architect,
who was raised in the country of baroque gardens, converted the garden-wing
of the castles owned by the Esterházys in Kismarton using the classical
style. Here in Tóváros, he undertook a special task: "the Roman bath",
"the Turkish mosque" and "the cave of Hell and Heaven" demanded a designer
with new spirits.
He was given free scope for his abilities, he got all help for the execution:
if he needed Roman tombstones, he had original ones at his disposal from
Brigetio, if he requested carved medieval capitals, he could use the stones
of the church in Vértesszentkereszt.
Although his buildings form durable scenery, the main feature of the artificial
ruins: the crystal clear spring-water was robbed by the industry of the
20th century.
