Ugron Castle, Zau de Câmpie
Castelul Ugron · Ugron-kastély (Mezőzáh)
sat Zau de Câmpie; comuna Zau de Câmpie, Mureș · Str. Parcului 10
One source says it can only be admired from outside; castleintransylvania lists it as visitable
Summary
A neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque castle built in 1908-1912 for the diplomat Baron István Ugron, known as the 'calendar castle' (365 windows, 52 rooms, 12 entrances, 7 terraces, 4 towers). It is owned by Mureș County Council, administered by the county museum since 2017, stands largely empty and was offered for sale in 2023.
Legal status
Nationalised 1948; Ugron/Bánffy heirs lost the restitution case (documents filed late) and the county council won; heirs recovered most of the park ↗
History
István Ugron inherited the Zau estate in 1899 and began the new castle in 1908 from Warsaw, to a concept by his brother-in-law János Bánffy and plans by Cluj architect Lajos Pákei; he moved in in 1918. Land reform in 1921 confiscated most of his properties, and the castle was nationalised in 1948 after his death. It then served as a grain depot, a school, an agricultural high school and, from 1963 to 2012, a girls' orphanage, and most furnishings and artworks were lost. The Bánffy heirs sought restitution, but the county council won the lawsuit and the heirs recovered most of the park. The Mureș County Museum took over administration in November 2017 and carried out urgent roof and facade work. In 2023 the state put the castle up for sale, reportedly conditioned on tourist use.
Transactions & prices
Listed components
- Castelul Ugron — 1911 (MS-II-m-A-16073.01)
- Parc dendrologic — sec. XX (MS-II-m-A-16073.02)
Sources & links
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