The Leopoldine Temple: A Neoclassical Gem

Construction 1818-1823

Commissioned by Prince Nikolaus II Esterházy, French architect Charles Moreau redesigned the palace and transformed the surrounding garden into an English landscape park. Among several neoclassical garden structures, the Leopoldine Temple was built in honor of the prince’s daughter, Princess Leopoldine. Inspired by ancient round temples like the Temple of Sibyl in Tivoli, it was placed on the palace’s central axis atop a rocky outcrop, becoming a key visual focal point.

Construction began in 1818, with the dome completed the same year. By 1819, the copper roof, colonnades, and stuccoed ceilings were finished. The interior featured a star-shaped terrazzo floor and was originally lit only through the central oculus. However, moisture damage soon appeared, prompting Moreau to add ventilation openings and later two side windows in 1822. Final painting works in 1823 marked the temple’s completion.

Under Nikolaus II, the palace gardens were among the most magnificent in the Habsburg monarchy, known for exotic plants and carefully designed vistas. After his death in 1833, the park gradually declined.

Restauration Efforts

Around 1900, Margit and Nikolaus IV attempted partial restoration, replanting areas and repairing water features. After WWII, the estate came under Soviet administration. In 1962, a lease agreement with Dr. Paul Esterházy required the city to restore the temple, but only emergency repairs were made in 1978/79.

Revival and Renovation
In 1987, the “Friends of the Eisenstadt Palace Park” association initiated a comprehensive restoration plan. The filled-in pond below the temple was excavated, the waterfall reopened, and new paths and plantings added. Temple restoration began in 1995 and lasted three years, including interior repairs and installation of a replica of Antonio Canova’s Leopoldine statue.

Current Restauration Plans

In 2024, Esterházy Immobilien launched a condition assessment and restoration concept in coordination with the Federal Monuments Office. Key issues include:

Roof Structure
Severely decayed wood and aged copper sheeting require urgent replacement.
Ceiling of the Colonnade
oisture damage has caused surface erosion and flaking.
Stairs and Column Bases
Copper salts have stained the stone; structural damage and poor repairs are visible.
Stone Restoration Trials
Test areas were created to assess and repair stone elements.
Base Zone
Secondary plaster additions have led to moisture damage; stone plates show cracks and corrosion.
Facade Restoration
Trial areas were opened in summer 2024 to guide full exterior renovation.