|
ANTON
GRASALKOVIČ
PERSONALITY
OF OUR HISTORY
He
was born on March 6,1695 in Urmín (Mojmírovce) and passed away on
December 1, 1771 in Hungarian Čemer.
His
destiny was very interesting. He came from original Serbian aristocrat
family, who in the half of the 17th century gained land in today’s
territory of Slovakia. His father Ján Grasalkovič was the
administrator of Beckov castle. His mother Zuzana, nee Egrešdi. Anton was
married three times and raised 4 daughters and two sons.
He
studied at gymnasium in Nitra and private law in Trnava with Andrej
Dubnický. He pledged attorney’s allegiance in 1715. He was notary of
royal tribunal. From 1720 he was attorney of Vác’s bishop’s office
and royal attorney, from 1724 chamber advisor, 1731 royal personal, 1751
guardian of the Hungarian crown jewels, he was real secret advisor, royal
horseman, Arad and Newcastle’s provincial.
Disciple
of Hapsburgs, expert in Hungarian law, national economy, good organizer.
With his lobbying in the Hungarian senate he contributed to election of
František Lotrinský, the husband of Maria Theresia, to became her co
ruler. With his merit of arming and supplying the army, the army was
successful in Prussian- Austrian wars.
Under his leadership the royal income grew. He designed and realized plan
for simplification of activities of chamber, he helped solving problems
with foreign trade, collecting duties, and he dealt with strengthening of
currency. For all this he was enjoying favor of Hapsburgs, especially of
Maria Therezia.
With royal donations, marriage and also with purchases, he gained vast
holdings, mainly on territory between rivers Tisa and Danube freed from
the Turks which together with gained titles placed his relatively small
yeoman family between the largest Hungarian magnate families.
In
the today’s territory of Slovakia he owned Komjatice (together with Kmeťovo,
Upper and Lowe Vinodol, Černík) Ivanka by Danube. He build the
presidential palace in Bratislava the Grasalkovič
Palace.
He
contributed to Baroque reconstruction of Bratislava's castle, financially
supported the construction of Piarist church in Nitra, financed the
construction of Manor house in Komjatice (not existing anymore-burned
out), he also supported the construction of their church. He built luxury
manor house in the center of his holdings in Gödölö where he is buried.
He built manor house in Hatvan and monastery in Máriabesnyö.
Anton
Grasalkovič was promoted in 1732 to a baron and in 1743 to a duke.
For his merits he was awarder the Grand Cross of St. Stephan.
In
historical channels it is mentioned that Huňady family, who
significantly influenced economical, cultural and spiritual life in the
territory of today’s Slovakia bought their holdings from Grasalkovič
family.
In
2004 we are remembering 310th anniversary of birth of duke Anton
Grasalkovič, patron of culture and art, expert of law and economy,
native of village Mojmírovce.
GO
TO MOJMÍROVCE MANOR HOUSE
GO TO THE CORRIDOR OF
TOLERANCE AT MOJMÍROVCE MANOR HOUSE
GO
TO SLOVAKIA'S CASTLES
Published in the Slovak Heritage Live
newsletter Volume
12, No.4, Winter 2004
Copyright © Vladimir Linder 2004
3804 Yale Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5C 1P6
The above article and photographs may not be copied,
reproduced, republished, or redistributed by any means including
electronic, without the express written permission of
Vladimir
Linder. All rights
reserved.
|
