BETLIAR is a village in the Košice Region of eastern Slovakia, known for its manor house. It belongs to the most beautiful manor houses in the country. The village of Betliar lies in a valley of the river Slaná, 5 km northwest of Rožnava. It belonged to the Hungarian nobel family Bebek and later the famous Andrássy family. The inhabitants lived on mining, agriculture and forestry. Betliar is one of the oldest settlements in Upper Gemer region. The first written records of the community date back to 1330. The mining heritage, historically interesting places and the beauty of the Volovské hills has turned Betliar into a destination that is popular with tourists. The precious manor house built ont he site of a small Bebek’s castle from 15th century. /Bebeks is well-known Hungarian aristocratic family./ It is situated in the beautiful surroundings of an English park. The magnificent mansion has been rebuilt many times, most recently bv the Andrássy family in the year 1880.Currently it serves as an exposition of the Slovak National Museum. Exposition of manor house create: collection of works of art, historical furniture, unique library, weapons, ceramics, porcelain. The exhibtion is focused ont he life and housing culture of the Hungarian nobility int he 18th an 19th century. Until 1945, the manor house was used by the beliar branch of the Andrássy family. It was nationalized after the WWII, however its original furnishing was preserved and manor house became a museum with the exposition Housing Culture of the Nobilty int he 18th and 19th century. The manor house is sure worth a visit with the attractive town Košice.
More information: www.muzeum.sk; www.muzeum.sk; www.gemer.sk
