The Kováts Miklós Mansion

We find ourselves in the village of Nisipeni in Satu Mare County, just a few kilometers from the borders with Hungary and Ukraine. Here you will encounter a true refuge of noble stories.

The mansion of Berenczei Kováts Miklós was built at the end of the 19th century out of his father's desire to put a roof over his head, just as his brother Sándor inherited the mansion located right across the road.

The entire space invites you to reverie, and the blend of architectural styles skillfully woven into the facade of the building will make you aware of its value and monumentality. The mansion is a window into time, opening before you as an eclectic creation ahead of its time. In those days, the building sparked disapproval from society, still unprepared for such an artistic manifestation. Today, do you still find it unusual the juxtaposition between the neo-Gothic tower, the Art Nouveau influences, and the Secession style of the facade? Probably not - and on the contrary, you appreciate the ingenuity of the architect who created beyond the canons of the time.

The memory of the Kováts family is further preserved through an unusual altar, in the shape of a pyramid, positioned on a small hill in the local cemetery. Its form, and especially its placement at height, suggest once again their privileged position in the local community.

Here, where the last chapter of the Kováts family's life was written, it is a good moment to conclude your journey, enriched with the story of the destiny of those for whom this mansion was "home."

The nobleman residence was built during the historicism and eclecticism, which marked the peak of castle erection. In the past, the mansion could be considered a true "cultural centre", which housed a vast library, but also a collection of art objects.

The middle-class nobility adopted and promoted the eclectic style in that era and region. This period is distinguished by attraction for castles and shows a building full of romance, bringing together various architectural styles: the neo-Gothic stands out in the tower, an emblematic element of this style, as well as in the window frames, while the secession can be seen in the gables.

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Notable names

The Kováts family originated from the Borsod region of Hungary. Their name first appeared in the 18th century and in official documents in the 19th century.

The mansion belonged to the nobleman Berencza Kováts Miklós and it was located opposite to that of his brother Sándor. He studied law and was a member of the chambers of the imperial court, playing an active role in society. He was an extremely dedicated landowner, so his estate was prosperous. According to the villagers, he always kept a dose of humanity towards the people he worked with. Miklós was also known for his passion for breeding horses, which won numerous races over the years.