Following the change of regime in Hungary in 1990, Georges Károlyi returned to Fehérvárcsurgó with his wife Angelica and their children. The family’s palace had fallen into disrepair. Driven by a deep sense of responsibility, a commitment to preserving cultural heritage, and a desire to contribute to Hungary’s renewal, they set out to restore the estate and give it a new purpose.

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Born in Budapest in 1946, Georges left Hungary with his parents as an infant when the political context forced the family into exile. The Károlyis settled in Paris, where they rebuilt their lives.

Raised in France, Georges studied law and political science. He met his wife Angelica at university. Born in Paris to German parents, she grew up in a family of artists; both her mother and father were painters who made France their home. Georges built a career in the aerospace and automotive industries, while Angelica worked as a translator and librarian at the National Foundation of Political Science in Paris. Together, they had four children: Géraldine, Alexandre, Elisabeth and Nicolas.

The political changes of 1990 opened a new chapter. After decades of Soviet domination had isolated Hungary from much of Europe’s post-war development (more about the history of the estate here), Georges and Angelica believed they could help rekindle the bonds between Hungary and the rest of Europe. Although ownership of the palace remained with the Hungarian state, which had designated it a protected historic monument, the family was allowed to develop a project on the estate.

The library of the Joseph Károlyi Foundation

In 1994, they established the Joseph Károlyi Foundation dedicated to supporting Hungary’s European integration, restoring the historic estate, and creating a European cultural centre affiliated with the Heritage Sites for Culture network.

What followed was an extraordinary undertaking. Years of fundraising, planning and restoration transformed the estate, while a growing programme of cultural activities brought new life to the region. In 2005, the palace welcomed its first hotel guests.

Today, the next generation is helping to carry this vision forward. Géraldine, Alexandre and Elisabeth are actively involved in the continued development of the estate. The Károlyi Kastély has become one of the region’s major landmarks.