Amazon House

About

The Amazon House (Amazon Ház) in Keszthely is one of the town’s most intriguing historic buildings, named after the painted female warriors that once adorned its façade. Built in the early 18th century and later remodelled in Baroque style, it originally served as an inn before becoming part of the Festetics estate. Its elegant arcaded courtyard and distinctive exterior make it a quiet architectural gem just steps from the palace. Inside, the building hosts the Balaton Equestrian Exhibition, a museum dedicated to Hungary’s deep horse‑riding traditions. Visitors can explore richly detailed displays on aristocratic hunting culture, the development of Hungarian horse breeds, and the role of horses in military history. Saddles, uniforms, carriages, and ceremonial harnesses reveal the craftsmanship and prestige associated with noble equestrian life. One highlight is the reconstructed stable interior, which immerses visitors in the atmosphere of a 19th‑century estate.

Keszthely Hungary

Location

The Amazon House Visitor Center (Amazon Ház Látogatóközpont) is located in the heart of Keszthely, on the western shore of Lake Balaton in Hungary, at Kastély utca 17–19. It sits on the main pedestrian street between Festetics Palace and the lake promenade, in the historic 18th‑century building that was once the city’s oldest hotel, the Amazon Hotel. The visitor centre opened in 2016 as the newest permanent exhibition of the Helikon Castle Museum. Just a short walk from the Amazon House is Festetics Palace (Helikon Castle), the most iconic landmark of Keszthely, with its grand Baroque palace, palace park, Palm House with bird park, Helikon Library, and the Hunting Museum & Coach Museum displaying historic horse-drawn carriages. From there, you can stroll along the lake promenade to Keszthely’s beaches, including Varosi Strand and Libás Strand, and visit other museums such as the Balaton Museum, Georgikon Farm Museum, Marzipan Museum, Radio Museum, and Erotic Renaissance Wax Museum. The Fenekpuszta Roman Ruins, Jewish Cemetery, and the Nostalgia Museum are also nearby, and a short drive away is the thermal lake at Hévíz and the scenic Tihany Peninsula across Lake Balaton.