Voderady is a village lying on the stream Gidra, in the south of Trnava, and in the past it belonged to many owners. Undoubtedly the most famous of them was the Zichy family. In the first half of the 18th century they probably built the late Baroque mansion, which is the most interesting architectural element of the village. From 1860 to 1870 the mansion was rebuilt in Imperial style and is currently unused. The entire building is surrounded by a huge park which used to be a unique one in Europe. Park behind the manor house was originally built in French style. It was among the so-called natural and sentimental parks because its lifelike and special supplements evoked various sentimental moods in visitors (e.g. mystery, abandonment, etc.). The German agronomist and expert in English-style parks, Bernhard Petri, adjusted the park in 1794. Count Franz Zichy invited him to Voderady, to adjust the French garden to contemporary requirements.  A house for thermophile plants, of which Camellias were the most wanted, was built next to the park. The building accessories include: the artificial cave (grotto) with stalactite decoration, castle ruins, a loggia, the hermitage chapel, an old mill, artificial ruins, gravestones, bridges, wells and an imitation of an old bastion. Especially remarkable is the brick wall, from which two square bastions rise. The obelisk with a height of 12 m is a reminder of the park’s reconstruction. In the past the park was admired not only by visitors, but also by professionals. It was one of the most famous parks in Bratislava region and brought Voderady into the history of garden and landscape art. After 1945, during the communist regime, there was a period when the park declined, was partially devastated and some sceneries disappeared completely. Many of the building features of the Voderady Park have been preserved until today.  They are hidden among the trees in an effort to induce nostalgic memories. Mournful mood is enhanced by funeral plants, especially weeping willows. The feeling is accentuated by the splashing creek and small waterfall. The park has a number of exotic species such as Sephora, Catalpa, Ginkgo, Liliales, etc. Also several centenarian oaks in the woods behind the park are worth to see. Two sycamore maples grow on the bank of the pond and have been declared protected trees. Voderady Park and its manor house have not been restored yet.

 

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