Sacher's house in Želiezovce. (source: OZ Sacher)
For some time, famous Austrian confectioner Franz Sacher (1816-1907) used to live in what is today south-western Slovakia. Sacher is perhaps best known for his Sachertorte, a chocolate cake that is a specialty of Viennese cuisine.
The historic building where his family lived is located in the town of Želiezovce, reports The Slovak Spectator's siste publication My Levice.
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It was the House of Esterházy, the greatest landowner magnates of the Kingdom of Hungary, who invited him in 1842 to prepare meals for them.
Widow Rozina Esterházy de Galanta and her three children had decided to leave the hustle and bustle of Vienna for a quiet town. Sacher cooked and baked for the family here for two years.
Now, this historic building has been renovated; it will serve as a tourist centre and space for events.
Windows
Interestingly, during renovation windows that had been bricked up and hidden under plaster were uncovered. Perhaps Franz Sacher watched his son Eduard Sacher, born in Želiezovce, through these windows while the latter was playing outside. The boy spent the first years of his life here.
Eduard went on to open the first Sacher Hotel in Vienna in 1876. It is said that the Sachertorte was instrumental in spreading the fame of the hotel.
The cake features dark dough, apricot jam and a brittle chocolate coating on top. Many have no idea that it is connected with south-western Slovakia. It was Eduard who improved upon his father's already delicious recipe and added the jam.
The recipe is a closely guarded secret by the Hotel Sacher.
The table and sofa were donated by Hotel Sacher
Members of the Sacher Civic Association and volunteers worked many hours to help restore the house. The restoration itself was handled by a company specialising in historical and cultural monuments.
The goal was to get as close as possible to the original appearance of the house. For example, historical images show windows that had been hidden under plaster for many years. These were restored. The roof, facade, fencing have been repaired as well.
Inside, a number of framed black-and-white photographs, a massive period table and a sofa can be seen. The furniture dates back to the 19th century. Hotel Sacher itself donated them.
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