Horgoš – Kamaráserdő holiday resort
Year of construction: the 1890s
Architect: Ede Magyar
Investor: Ottó Brauswetter
The Brauswetter mansion, or popularly known as the Clock Tower mansion, is located by the Segedinski road (Szegediút) which passes through Horgoš. The building easily recognizable from a distance by its slender clock tower is one of the remaining examples of the pompous mansions built in the one-time holiday resort called Kamaráserdő.
János Brauswetterwas a clockmaker from Szegedwho, after learning the craft in the best Swiss clock factories, and established his own shop in his hometown in 1847. His son, Ottó, followed his steps. Clocks were not the only things that were produced in the family workshop, but also precision firearms. For example, the local newspaper, the SzegediNapló, published an article in 1890 about Brauswetter’s own invention, an automatic hunting rifle which gained international acknowledgment. According to the chronicles, he was also the first man to own a car in Szeged (he bought it in 1904). The unique villa, therefore, was a perfect match to its novelty-loving inventor owner, which he gladly visited during vacations. The uncommon building also effectively promoted its owner’s unmatched craftsmanship. The so-called Swiss style villaowes its romantic atmosphere to the characteristic woodwork, smaller and larger porches, the complex ground plan and its roof construction. Once a beautiful vineyard used to surround the house.
In August 1906 the young composer Béla Bartók arrived in Horgos in order to collect folk songs. During his stay in the town, he was the guest of the Baranyaifamily in their villa since his mother was a friend of the family. It was during this time that Bartók visited the Brauswetter villa where one day an extraordinary tune struck his ear. It was the 18 years old silvery-voiced MatildSzaniszló working and singing in the nearby vineyard. The composer was so intrigued that he looked for the girl the following day and noted down a number of local songs from her.
