Mocioni - Teleki Palace ''The Little Trianon on the Mures Valley'' (Căpâlnaş)

 palace, Neoclassical (architecture), listed building / architectural heritage, tourist attraction, 1870s construction

An exponent of the architectural heritage left in the Banat area by the noble Macedonian Rumanian Mocioni family, the Căpâlnaș ensemble still talks today about the well-being and importance of this great family. The palace, a key component of the whole ensemble, is one of the first projects of the Viennese architect Otto Wagner. Designed with elegance, following the model of the Little Trianon in Versailles, the palace building is highlighted by the surrounding arboretum park and is served by the various annexes, forming thus the Mocioni ensemble of Căpâlnăş, one of the most remarkable noble ensembles of the nineteenth century in the Romanian extra-urban space.

Located in the heart of the 8-hectares park, the imposing silhouette of the palace stands out from the public space as being the perspective head of access - a beautiful alley bordered by trees. Marking the first stage of Otto Wagner's creation - the precursor period of the Secession style projects - that will consecrate the work of the Viennese architect - the Mocioni palace is built in a classicist eclectic spirit, inspired by the Little Trianon model of Versailles.

Căpâlnaș Domain came into the possession of the Mocioni family in 1853, when it was purchased by Ioan Mocioni de Feon from the Zichy family for 260,000 florins. The palace will be built only between 1876-1879 under the patronage of Ecaterina Mocioni - the daughter of Ioan Mocioni de Feon - and of her husband, Mihai Mocioni. The plans of the palace were drawn up in 1867 by the Viennese architect Otto Wagner, and the architect Kallina Mór was most likely responsible of the works execution, but also of the Mocioni family’s crypt, built on the Feoni estate. The domain will be inherited by the sons of Mihai and Ecaterina Mocioni, Eugen and Alexandru Mocioni. The palace will be inhabited by Eugen Mocioni and his family - his wife, Therezia Horvath, and his five children - while his brother, Alexandru, will live in the palace in Birchiș. With a chosen education, passionate about classical music, the two brothers will organize numerous musical events at the Căpâlnaș residence. Theodor Botiș, the author of the Mocioni family Monograph, recalls: “In the Căpâlnaș Castle, where Eugen Mocioni's family lived, the daily and almost unique entertainment was music. During the days of reception, concerts of classical music were performed, using the two saloon pianos. But the concerts received an artistic brilliance mainly due to the Lady of the house, << Cocoana Terezia >> whose beautiful, colorful and well-groomed voice enchanted the guests. In fact, the whole personality of this woman had an unforgettable charm. "

A few months later, with the arrival of the communist regime, the entire domain will be nationalized and the family will be prohibited from visiting the domain and the graves. Both the library of the palace and the Count's butterfly collection were destroyed. The palace was emptied and transformed into a medical unit, which is still functioning today. The domain was relocated in 2000 to the heirs of Count Teleki.