Geography of village:

Aldebrő parish is situated at the southestern foot of Mátra, in the walley of the Stream Tarna.

Altough, the borderline of the Mátra is often considered to be the Tarna river, Aldebrő is in a special situation, as this famous wine-producing  town is located in both sides of the Tarna.

The village is totally built into Tófalu, Kápola is only 3 km away, where we can access the No. 3. Miskolc-Budapest main road. Choosing other roots, we can reach the Zsóry-Thermal Bath, which is 30 km away, by turning left. Turning right we can reach Gyöngyös, after 20 km-s.

Founder of village:

A clerk and an aristocrat in the XVIII. century.

In the 17-18. century, there were several poor noblemen across Europe. If they didn’t have sufficient land, they went to work for royal yards or to seigneurs. They took up magisterial, church, military jobs, in order to gain proper living.

The ancestors of Antal Grassalkovich came from the poorer nobility of Northern Hungary. Antal Grassalkovich was the child of János Grassalkovich and Zsuzsanna Egresdy. He was born in March 5, 1694, in Ürmény, Nyitra county. At the time of his birth, most of the country was under Turkish occupation. At the time of the Rákóczi War of Independence, his father worked for János Bottyán as scribe, later as postmaster. He sent Antal Grassalkovich to the Piarists in Nyitra, then to Nagyszombat. Having finished his studies, he went on with legal practice. The talented, hard-working young man began to work as a lawyer in 1715. One year later, at the age of 22, he became the prosecutor of the Budai Kamarai Kerület. In his success, his command of language might helped him. Apart his mother tongue, he was good at speaking Latin, German, Slovak and according to certain sources he also spoke French.

In 1720, the ruler III. Károly appointed him as royal case-director, this function helped him to huge opportunities. The planned to buy land in Heves or Pest country. The realised that these areas are in good place both in economic and in traffic. He wanted to buy one huge territory rather than small ones.

In 1722, he married Erzsebet Láng, the daughter of Ádám Láng. They didn’t have children, and Erzsébet died after 5 years. In 1723 he bought land in Gödöllő. In 1731 he started to represent the king in every forum. The next year he gained barony. He married Krisztina Klobusiczky and they had 6 children. His wife died at the age of 26, than Antal Grassalkovich married his sister-in-law. After III. Károly’s death, Antal Grassalkovich was an important member in military helping of Mária Terézia. Grassalkovich bought the lordship of Debrő.

In 1743 he became baron, after having gained Mária Terézia’s approval. On his coast of arm Mária Terézia’s initials can be found.

As a president he kept the affairs of the Hungarian language interests in mind. He was one of those, who spearheaded the Latin and German in addition to the use of the Hungarian language in politics and public administration.

In the 1750s he was at the peak of his power. He received numerous titles.

As in the country a large number of nobles weren’t taxed, it was important to increase the number of taxable persons. To achive this, they brought people from the Habsburg-Monarchy and from the provinces of the German Empire. They wanted people who had economical experience and property.

With his practical knowledge, he recognized that the country’s conditions are favourable for agriculture. He also wanted to improve the industry Fruits of economic organization and installation work came in the 1760-s. His knowledge of mankind helped him in his work, he also chose good fellow workers.

The famous Farkas Kempelen began to build his career by him.

During his life 33 churches and chapels were built or renovated (Gödöllő, Hatvan,Pest,Pozsony). The history of art regards him as style-creator of ,,gödöllői” and ,,G-style”.

In his declining years he owned 5 lordship (Gödöllő, Hatvan, Debrő, Baja, Komját). He was part-owner of the gold-mine of Selmec,

In July 1771 he had the pleasure to organize the homecoming of relic of the ,,Szent Jobb”.

He died in 1st December, 1771. Upon his wish, he was buried next to his 3rd wife in the monastery of Máriabesenyő which was built for his demand.