Jediný portrét svetového maliara, šľachtica Pavla Szinyei Merse v kaštieli Fričovce

Pavol Szinyei, ovládal prípravu tokajského vína, bol málovravný, veľmi tažko získaval modely k maľbe, pretože medzi dedinčanmi žila povera o tom, že koho namaľuje, ten za krátko zomrie. Kritici mu vyčítali krikľavosť farieb, kompozičné nedostatky a všednú tému. Avšak po viac ako 20 ročnom neúspechu sa mu nakoniec dostalo uznania.

Svoje najznámejšie dielo Májový výlet zadarmo ponúkol Národnému múzeu v Budapešti, ktoré ho odmietlo. Balzamom na jeho psychické traumy z nepochopenia jeho diela bola spoločnosť jeho manželky Žofie Probstnerovej. Tu zobrazil, ako dámu vo fialovom šate v roku 1874, rok po svadbe. Tento obraz popri Majálese sa pokladá za jedno z najdokonalejších diel Szinyeiho tvorby z týchto čias.

Žofia mu porodila päť detí, avšak manželove tragické životné údely zo straty blízkych a neúspechov v umeleckom dianí ho doviedlo k rezignácii. Žofia ho nakoniec opustila pre lásku s Imrichom Ghilányim, ktorý si ju odviedol do kaštieľa Fričovce. Po dvojročnej nečinnosti, svetlo do jeho umeleckého života opäť priniesol umelec Teodor Zemplényi, ktorý ho povzbudil k ďalšej tvorbe. Neuplynul ani rok, keď celá krajina spomínala jeho meno. 

Okrem krajinomalieb Szinyei namaľoval svoj Autoportrét vidieckeho gazdu v koženom kabáte, ktorého jediná kópia visí v kaštieli Fričovce. Autorom tohto obrazu je akademický maliar Štefan Filep. Originál zdobí jednu zo siení Gallérie degli Uffizi vo Florencii. V rokoch na prelome 19. a 20. stor. sa zúčasňuje výstavy v Paríži, Mníchove a Talianskej Venezii, kde sa Szinyei stretáva s veľkým úspechom. Na svetovej výstave v Paríži r. 1900 za Topenie snehu dostal striebornú medailu. V roku 1901 v Mníchove získal zlatú medailu za jeho najvýznamnejšie dielo Majáles. 

20. februára 1920 slávny maliar umiera v náručí svojej dcéry. Jeho bývalá manželka Žofia sa dožila 101 rokov.

Raro esemplare di Ginkgo Biloba nel Kastiel Fričovce, Slovacchia

Il parco del celebre Hotel Kastiel Fričovce, tra le tante varie specie di piante, vanta un albero straordinario. Si tratta del Ginkgo Biloba ed è l’unico esemplare esistente in tutta la Slovacchia orientale. Sono infatti solo due gli alberi di questa specie in Slovacchia, l’altro si trova nell’arboreto di Mlyňany .

L’età dell’albero in Fričovce è di circa 160 anni, essa coincide, infatti, con la ricostruzione del castello e con la creazione de parco, a cura di Ghillányi Earl Joseph.

Il Ginkgo Biloba è una quercia cinese. Esso è anche chiamato albero “serpente" o albero "nonno e nipote".

Il periodo di crescita è molto lento : affinché si possano vedere i primi frutti, può richiedere fino a tre generazioni. Spesso, l’albero vive fino a mille anni. Tali motivi spinsero Charles Darwin a definire nel 1859 questa pianta come “un vero e proprio fossile vivente”.

Mansion Fričovce . . . a perfect romantic setting for an unforgettable Slovak wedding!

Would you like to sink into the Slovak Renaissance architecture while celebrating your wedding? In the mansion Fricovce you can experience wedding of your dreams. Imagine this fantastic scenery: a charming place where you can celebrate your wedding followed by a reception where you and your guests will delight the typical refinements of the Slovak cuisine…All at one place, from cuisine, decoration and music to a pleasant atmosphere. You can even get married in the chapel of Fricovce located just next to the park of the mansion. The breathtaking beautiful saloon with its view towards the park can seat one hundred fifty guests. For a smaller event, the hunter’s lounge or musician’s lounge can be a perfect place for a banquet or celebration. This air of exclusivity extends to the four Apartments on the top floor of the mansion, which, with its antique or period furniture, is a perfect location for the luxury retreat.

Professionals and companies are also welcomed to experience the Renaissance world while sharing their ideas in one of the seminar rooms. The dedicated team at the mansion Fricovce can help with planning every aspect of your event.

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How to spend a time in-between meals in Rome?

Happy hour in Rome

Some of you might argue that Rome is a romantic place with plenty of restaurants where you can eat all day. For most of us, Rome became a city where you need activities to occupy the time in between your meals. Some tourists have reported that although restaurant dining was an important feature of their daily activities, they enjoyed wandering around in the streets, visiting galleries, museums and going shopping. It is easy to wear out your shoes in the majestic streets of Rome. Perhaps this is a little exaggerated but this certainly contributes to more frequent coffee breaks and developing a passion for food. When staying in Rome, do not forget to taste the authentic Roman dishes in a local osteria or trattoria instead of visiting expensive restaurants in the city center. For young explorers, we recommend happy hours which became popular among natives when hanging out with friends. Whereas you are a culinary tourist or a marketer, keep in your mind that your restaurant is a part of your experience package.