Visiting Children’s Homes – Pilis Children’s Home, Kindergarten, Primary School, Trade School, and Skill Development School – June 2022

This time, we visited one of the county’s oldest estates, the Beleznay-Nyáry Castle, a historic building that now serves as a children’s home. Built in 1710 by an Italian master at the request of local nobleman János Beleznay, the U-shaped mansion is a prime example of Baroque architecture from the Maria Theresa era, making it one of the most significant Baroque mansions in the region.

The head of the institution welcomed us into one of the chateau’s most iconic rooms, where the ceiling features a stunning period fresco. This room is particularly special, as tradition holds that it’s where József Kármán wrote his culturally significant novel, Fanni’s Legacy. In the second half of the 19th century, the mansion became a hub for progressive thinkers—poets, writers, politicians, and aristocrats. Among its notable guests were Chief Justice George Mailáth, Count György Andrássy, Pál Nyáry, Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Pest County, Miklós Jósika, and even Sándor Petőfi. The Nyáry family owned the estate until 1945, when it was transferred to the state after the war. In June 1948, it began operating as an institution, initially as a girls’ home and later as a children’s home. Today, the building still serves this purpose, now with its own kindergarten, primary school, special vocational school, and skill-development school for children with special needs. It also runs a daycare facility that provides both temporary and long-term care for children with special needs, along with their neurotypical siblings, as well as offering aftercare services.

An interesting fact we learned is that the Nyáry family crypt is also located on the estate, but in 1944, Russian occupants removed the coffins. At the time, the mansion was being used as a Russian military hospital, and the crypt was repurposed to store the bodies of deceased soldiers before burial. As a result, Russian soldiers who died in the battles around Pilis and the surrounding area were laid to rest on the estate’s grounds.

After learning the history of the castle, the children gave us a tour, proudly showing off their homes and the beautiful estate.

We also handed over our donations, which primarily consisted of household appliances and devices such as dryers, refrigerators, and phones. We also delighted the children with various pieces of furniture, further enhancing the comfort and homeliness of their already well-maintained and welcoming living spaces.