At the heart of Pellérd, in Baranya County, the park surrounding Brázay Mansion has long been one of the village’s most important green spaces. Thanks to an EU-funded development, this historic setting has been given a new lease of life, becoming a greener, more welcoming and more practical place for the local community.
| The neoclassical mansion stands in the centre of the village, surrounded by what was once its private estate park and is now a public space open to everyone. One of its best-known former owners was Kálmán Brázay, a successful Hungarian merchant and entrepreneur of the late 19th century. He started working at just thirteen as a grocery apprentice, later gaining experience in several European countries. His business in Pest eventually grew into a major wholesale and industrial enterprise, while his name became widely known through the hugely popular Brázay medicinal spirit. Brázay had strong ties to Pellérd as a landowner and an important figure in local life. He spent the final decades of his life there and died in the village in 1925. |
The neoclassical mansion stands in the centre of the village, surrounded by what was once its private estate park and is now a public space open to everyone. One of its best-known former owners was Kálmán Brázay, a successful Hungarian merchant and entrepreneur of the late 19th century. He started working at just thirteen as a grocery apprentice, later gaining experience in several European countries. His business in Pest eventually grew into a major wholesale and industrial enterprise, while his name became widely known through the hugely popular Brázay medicinal spirit. Brázay had strong ties to Pellérd as a landowner and an important figure in local life. He spent the final decades of his life there and died in the village in 1925.
The renewal of the park focused strongly on its natural environment. New plants were chosen to suit local conditions and cope well with a changing climate, with native species used wherever possible. The richer, more varied planting has made the park more attractive and is also expected to create a more pleasant microclimate over time.
There is plenty for families too. The park now features a fully renovated playground covering almost 800 square metres, with modern equipment for different age groups and safe, impact-absorbing surfaces underfoot. A drinking fountain was added nearby, while dog owners can enjoy a new fenced dog park of around 1,200 square metres in the south-eastern part of the grounds.
Getting around the park has also become easier and more comfortable. A new paved walkway was created, the area around the existing pavilion was improved, and new benches and other outdoor furniture were installed. Lighting was added along the paths, the grotto lookout above the ornamental pond was renovated, and the railings on the small footbridges over the drainage channels were replaced. Accessibility was also improved so that the park can be enjoyed by a wider range of visitors.
The upgrade was not limited to what can be seen at first glance. A Wi-Fi network and public CCTV system were also installed, improving both convenience and safety.
Following the renovation, Brázay Mansion Park once again provides a setting worthy of its historic surroundings. Today, it is a welcoming place to relax, meet friends, spend time with family and enjoy one of Pellérd’s most characterful public spaces.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder: Details
