Jakab Fellner


Jakab Fellner was the most important Baroque architect of his generation in Hungary.
Fellner was born in Moravia. Although untrained, his skills and knowledge, gained through experience, made him one of the most sought after architects of his day. In 1745 he settled in Tata, where he lived almost uninterrupted until his death. He played a major role in the development of towns in the area such as Pápa, Eger and Veszprém. Initially working for the Esterhazy family, his growing reputation led to commissions from many others. His first major work was the Roman Catholic Tata Parish Church, which was initially built according to the plans of Franz Anton Pilgram in 1751, but most of it was erected according to Fellner's plans. Nevertheless, he was unable to finish the work and it was left up to Jozsef Grossmann to complete after Fellner's death. It was finally finished in 1783.
In 1764 Bishop Carl Eszterhazy put Fellner in charge of building works and planning in Eger, and this was to become one of the most important periods of his career. His first work for the city was the stairway section of the Bishop's palace and also its chapel in 1766. He also planned the bishop's palace in Veszprém. Fellner completed the Liceum building in Eger which was initially planned by Jozsef Gerl of Vienna. Fellner's last great work was the Parish Church at Pápa in 1773.
Fellner received a title in 1773. He died in Tata, and was buried in the crypt of Christchurch Roman Catholic Church which he had built. His apprentice Jozsef Grossmann finished his unfinished projects and also married his widow. In 1940 a statue was raised in his memory in front of the church in Tata.

Works

Numerous mills, e.g. at Tata and Miklos, the Nepomucenus, Jozsef, Cifra and Tovaros mills.
Also, many country inns, parish churches, commercial buildings and houses were built.