The Andrássy family was an aristocrat family originating in Transylvania. At the end of the 16th century, they moved to Hungary. At the end of the 17th century they divided into two branches. The count Andrássy Dénes was born on 18, November 1835 in Várhosszúrét in Gömör County. He spent his childhood in the castle of Várhosszúrét. He had private tutors in Várhosszúrét and in Sárrét. Following the War of Independence of 1848-49 the family often moved. In 1856, after finishing his law studies in Bonn, he worked as the drafter of the chancellery of Vienna.

55 professional drawings of machinery are kept in the collection of the Belér Museum. It is possible that he was also educated on that field in 1851-1853. The rest of the works made by Dénes betray that he was more attracted to arts than to law.

While in Vienna, Andrássy Dénes met Hablawetz Franciska. Despite the fact that she was from a civic family, he married her on 6, April 1866. The result of the marriage was his exclusion from his heritage. In 1871 his brother, Andrássy V. György, suddenly died on the island of Madeira so after the death of his father, Andrássy Dénes regain his right to heritage.

The couple was very charitable all through their lives. We can still find the schools, churches and other institutions that are proof of the social sensitivity of the couple. The count Andrássy Dénes was the first to found a crowned foundation in Hungary in 1898. The foundation served as the pensionable salary. Of course, most of the donations were received by the town of Rozsnyó.

The first part of the exhibition introduces the family. It is a short review via documents, objects and photos of the Andrássy family, as well as the castle in Belér and the fortress in Krasznahorka.

The second part is seen through the eyes of Andrássy Dénes. We show his studies, his taste and education, as well as his drawings, paintings and aquarelles.

The topic of the third part is the history of the collecting work, the patronizing activity of Andrássy Dénes and the gallery of krasznahorkaváralja built to hold the artworks of Andrássy Dénes. The paintings now mostly belonging to the Fine Arts Museum of Budapest illustrate the collection along with contemporary documents and photos. The visitors may also see the catalogue of the gallery published in Munich and the bust of Róna József made after the count Andrássy Dénes. The complete statue was to be erected in front of the Arts Hall in honor of the Andrássy Dénes.

The fourth part presents the Andrássy Dénes and Franciska myth via the objects of Andrássy Franciska and documents, graphics, paintings.

The last part presents the mausoleum near the Fortress of Krasznahorka via drawings, aquarelles, models and designs.

The arts historian and assistant manager Dr. Basics Beatrix directed the exhibition