THE PARLIAMENT
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ver centuries, the descendants of the conquering leader, Árpád, enacted laws without use of a permanent house for the Hungarian parliament. After the 1848 revolution, the dynamically altered nation began to feel the need to change this situation. Thus, in 1882 a competition was announced to design a building that would house the parliament, which was won by Imre Steindl. Three years later on the 12th of October, the works began on Lipótváros’ Tömlő square. This was the biggest investment of the time, and for seventeen years nearly a thousand people worked on it. As there was a wish to undertake the project with Hungarian materials and a Hungarian workforce if possible, entire branches of industry were revived by this initiative. In this building with an internal volume of 473 000 cubic metres, 90 exterior and 152 interior statues stand tall on the walls. The building has 27 doors, and inside 29 staircases enable movement between the levels. The building is 268 m long, 123 m wide and 96 m high, and there are more than 200 offices accommodated. It has become a structural representative of the capital of our homeland.
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THE MARGARET BRIDGE
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he Margaret Bridge of Budapest was constructed as the second permanent bridge in the capital over the course of almost 4 years. Lenthy negotiations and legal wrangling plagued the project. In connection with the construction of the Chain Bridge, formerly in private ownership, a law had been passed that before 1936, stating no new bridge over the Danube could be built within 8 km of the position of the Chain Bridge. Finally the Chain Bridge was redeemed by the Hungarian state and preliminary work on the construction began. The 607 metre long bridge, which today links Margaret Island with St Stephen Boulevard and Margaret Boulevard, was put into service on 30 April 1876. The side bridge linking to the island was not completed at this time, and up till 19/08/1900 (present the date formats onsistenly) the island could only be approached by boat.
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The bridge was originally 11 metres wide, which was later expanded to 16.6 metres. The bridge sustained heavy damage from World War II explosions. Following rebuilding, reconstructions have been carried out several times. Most recently, a wonderfully restored and renovated Margaret Bridge was put into service on 20/12/2011. An important criterion during renovation was restoration of the pre-World War II appearance of the bridge, so wrought iron lamps and overhead cable brackets were added, new railings were installed and the spectacle was enhanced with floodlighting.
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THE MARGARET ISLAND
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he island was named in the 1300s after Princess Margaret of the House of Árpád, daughter of King Béla IV, who lived here in the 13th century in a convent of the Dominican order. Remains of the convent can still be found today . Previously the island was referred to in written records as Annunciation Island and Rabbit Island. In 1686, Margaret Island was still comprised off three sections. On the initiative of Archduke Alexander Leopold, magnificent parks, botanical gardens and wooded groves were established at the beginning of the 19th century. At the end of 1866, mining engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy began drilling an artesian well, and a few months later medicinal waters at 43 degrees broke forth from a depth of 1200 metres. Thanks to this, development of the island as a bathing resort began . On the basis of design work by Miklós Ybl, the three islands were united and the medicinal baths were completed, as well as the Large Grand Hotel and
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several small villas. As the island was regularly engulfed by floods which caused major damage, the land was banked up with soil thus raising the level by more than two metres. The island could only be approached by boat until 1900, and then the side branch of Margaret Bridge was built leading to the island. The 2800 metre long island with an area of 96.5 hectares is linked at its other end with the Pest and Buda banks of the Danube by the Ă rpĂĄd Bridge built in 1950.
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GRESHAM PALACE
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he Gresham Life Insurance Company had this fine unique palace erected as its foreign head office to thedesignsbyZsigmondQuitter,anditwascompleted by 1906. The Nákó House, in Neo-Classical style, had previously stood on the site. Produced primarily for the British aristocracy, the most famous architects and artists of the age laboured on the building. The ceramic decorations were produced in the Zsolnay works in Pécs, the wrought iron pieces were prepared in Gyula Jungfer’s workshop. With its ornate facade and peacock patterned wrought iron railings, it is one of the outstanding buildings of Hungarian Art Nouveau architecture, and has been a world heritage site since 1987. It is known at present throughout the world as Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, and following renovations, it opened its doors in 2004 to all guests who are fond of grandeur and genial hospitality. The building was bought by the Sultanate of Oman in the November of 2011, but it is still run by the Four Seasons Hotels headquarters in Toronto.
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NEW YORK PALACE
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he building of the New York Palace was an assignment of the New York Insurance Company. Alajos Hauszman was in charge and it was built based in the Italian eclectic style. In 1894, a beautiful café house (the palace’s main attraction) was opened and soon became the haunt of the artistic and literary bohemia. The age’s most respected journals, the Nyugat’s editorial office was found here, as well. At present the building houses the Luxury Hotel, owned by the Boscolo Group, and its unique pomp is still a reminder of the one-time atmosphere. By the entrance a fountain dazzles visitors, the interiors are decorated with bronze statues, the halls are adorned with Venetian chandeliers, the hotel rooms are furnished in elegant Italian style. Its 22 halls are a popular venue for events, whether a banquet, a wedding reception or a meeting of friends.
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CHAIN BRIDGE
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n winter one used to be able to walk on the frozen surface of the Danube, but during ice drifts, commuting in this way between the two banks of the river became impossible.
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Once, István Széchenyi was forced to wait an entire week in December of 1820 until he found one brave boatman who would take him to the other side. After this incident, he initiated the building of “the Bridge” . Building this bridge had historical significance, since it was the first permanent bridge between Pest and Buda. The designer of the bridge was William Tierney Clark, and construction was supervised by Adam Clark.
Added in 1852, The stone statues of the lions proudly standing at the bridgeheads were produced by sculptor Jรกnos Marschalkรณ. All the Danube bridges were destroyed in the Second World War, one of the last being the Chain Bridge. Reconstruction work was completed on 20 November 1949 and the new Chain Bridge was put into service on the 100th anniversary of the construction of the original bridge. After being taken over by local traffic in 1849, it became a national symbol of development. Both Hungarians and visitors enjoyed the use of this bridge.
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BUDA CASTLE
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he history of Buda Castle dates back to the Medieval period. Construction began in the mid 1300s, the golden age in the time of King Matthias Corvinus. The early central palace was severely damaged in the battles against the Turks, but later, thanks to the initiative of Maria Theresa, it was renovated in a majestic baroque style. Unfortunately, the palace fell victim to the Second World War, and at present it does not retain any parts which would reflect the luxury of the bygone kings.
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Reconstruction work on the palace started in 1959 on a rather tight budget. A simpler design was implemented and instead of reconstructing the ornate halls, modern and puritan architectural options were chosen. Today, it has an important role in the country’s culture since its chambers are used by the Hungarian National Gallery, the National SzÊchenyi Library, the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art and the Historical Museum of Budapest. It is home to numerous traditional events, including the Crafts Festival and the Buda Castle Wine Festival. The Buda Castle Palace as part of the Buda Castle Quarter has been designated as a world heritage site since 1987. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all parts of the world visit every year. Numerous sights and points of interest are on offer for them. These include the Buda Castle Labyrinth, the old narrow streets and cosy restaurants of the Castle Quarter. Thanks to the location of the Palace, one can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the city of Budapest. 13
MATTHIAS CHURCH
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atthias Church, with the official name of Buda Castle Church of Our Lady, has occupied a prominent place in Hungarian history from the beginning. According to ecclesiastical tradition it was founded in 1015 by St Stephen. According to written records it was known in the 17th century as St Stephen’s church. The church had been standing for centuries when our King Matthias had a tower built onto it. During this period the church attained the peak of its mediaeval prosperity. King Matthias and the great historic figures following him had their weddings here, and Queen Elizabeth too and Charles I, the last crowned Hungarian king, also took their oaths in this holy place. The building suffered severe damage in World War II. Reconstruction work was begun in 1950 and the finishing touches were completed in 1984. For the first time in the history of the church, the state gave it into the possession of the Church in 1999, and even today this place of holy pilgrimage occupies a position worthy of its rank on Holy Trinity Square in the vicinity of Buda Castle Palace, providing a home for sung High Mass and welcoming visitors with open doors.
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FISHERMAN’S BASTION
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oday’s Fisherman’s Bastion was constructed on the site of an old fortification on the castle wall in NeoRomanesque style to designs by Frigyes Schulek. Besides the Parliament and the Opera House, it is one of the most treasured structures of Hungarian eclectic style. It was designed and constructed in connection with the restora-
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tion of Matthias Church and elaboration of the plan for reconstruction of the surrounding area. In accordance with the original plan it should have been completed for the millennium celebrations of the Magyar empire (1896), but timing of the work was delayed. Construction took place in several stages, and although one section was opened in 1902, the work was only completed in 1905. In contrast to its name, it has really never served defence purposes. The origin of the name is that at one time, part of the Buda Castle section was guarded by the fishermen’s guild, and the bastion bears the name of Fisherman’s Bastion in memory of this. The seven towers symbolise the seven chieftains who conquered the land. Since 1987 it has been a world heritage site as part of Buda castle quarter. Thousands of tourists are drawn here by the unequalled panorama from the observation terrace, so it became one of the most significant tourist attractions in Budapest soon after its construction, as it still is today. 19
SAINT STEPHEN’S BASILICA
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s the church’s proud castle, this divine monument is the adornment of the Szent István tér (square). Although a collectionhadbeenlaunchedasearlyas1810,constructionwork on St Stephen’s Basilica began in 1851 to designs by József Hild, who worked on the completion of the church until his death in March1867.Followingthis,oneofthemostacclaimedarchitects of the age, Miklós Ybl, was given the commission to construct the building. The year 1868 is memorable in the history of the constructionofthechurch,whendueto poorbuildingmethods and material quality issues, the walls and drum of the dome collapsed.Constructioncontinuedin1871afteralengthybreakand a Neo-Renaissance building was erected on reinforced foundations. Construction was so important , even the monarch Franz Jozefcametoseehowthekeystonewouldbesetdown..Bombings during World War II caused significant damage to the walls, towersandroofstructureofthebuilding,sothesehavehadtobe reconstructed.CompleterenovationoftheBasilicabeganin1983 and finished in 2003. The sanctuary is a frequently visited place by believers, but it is also a popular tourist sight of Budapest. The building itself is astonishing while the view of the city seen from the cupola is simply unforgettable. The building is 96 metres high, which is on record today as the third tallest building in the country. It is possible to access the circular viewing gallery by lift, or by climbing 364 steps for those of an enterprising spirit. The ceremonialopeningofthetreasuryexpandedbythreeadditional rooms,tookplaceon18/03/2012andhousesthefullestlegacyof Prince Primate Cardinal József Mindszenty.
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HUNGARIAN STATE OPERA HOUSE
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eptember 24, 1884 was the long opening of the Budapest Opera House, and the great opening celebration was enhanced by the presence of Karl Franz Jozef.
The awaiting crowd of the Sugรกr road was so excited to see the interior that they swept aside the guarding policemen and ran into the palace-like institute. Although, the name of the road has since been changed, the building is still beautiful and is a favourite of opera lovers.
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BUDAPEST OPERETTA THEATRE
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he building was erected in 1894 to designs by Viennese architects Feller and Helmer. The best French restaurants in the city lined up in its ornamental winter garden and the building also housed a concert coffee shop. It was a palace of entertainment until the outbreak of World War I, which ceased with the disappearance of the belle époque. Based on a decision made in 1923, it once again opened its doors to the public as the home of the Metropolitan Operetta Theatre, and the “Silver Age” of Operetta began. Although the building was redeveloped in 1966 and the interiors were refashioned, on the occasion of reconstruction in 1999 the original appearance was restored and upgraded with modern technical equipment.
Today the 900 seat theatre auditorium is illuminated by a hundred year old chandelier, and radiates magnificence and elegance for operetta enthusiasts.
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MOLIN ROUGE
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nown as the citadel of genteel revelry, the Moulin Rouge opened its doors to the general public in in 1922 on Nagymező Street in Budapest. The special atmosphere of the club evokes the mood of 20th century Paris, amalgamated with elements consistent with demands of the modern age. It was renovated in 2000 according to the original plans, thus preserving its enchanting atmosphere. The candlesticks, the stucco, the red velvet and every tiny detail of the building speak of a thrilling world. Simultaneously preserving the values of the past as well moving on with the spirit of the age, the Moulin Rouge provides opportunities for amusement in our days too, whether for discos, unique events, or even a birthday party.
MAI MANÓ HOUSE
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mperial and royal court photographer Mai Manó had this magnificent building constructed, and it was completed in 1894. The building was later bought by Sándor Rozsnyai and his wife, and they attached a 3 storey Arizona club to it in the courtyard, which was in operation until 1944. Following World War II, the building was used by several people for various purposes, then in 1996 the Hungarian Photography Foundationbegantobuyupthetenancyrightsfromthetenants and the Mai Manó Gallery was opened in 1995. Later in 1999, the House of Hungarian Photographers was opened on the 1st and 2nd floors of the building.
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PARIS DEPARTMENT STORE
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he Paris Department Store on Andrássy Road, previously known as the Fashion Hall, was closed for a lengthy period but once again opened its doors to the general public in 2009, this time providing a home for the Alexandra Book Store. One can choose from a huge selection of books, CDs and DVDs in these magnificent and elegant surroundings. An unusual treasure, the central room of the building is the ornamental Lotz Hall, which in earlier times was a ballroom, but now provides a home for events and the Book Cafe coffee shop. The opulently gilded walls are decorated with fresco compositions by Károly Lotz. The Alexandra Book Store operating in the Paris Department Store won the prize for the Metropolitan Bookshop of the Year in 2011, based on the votes of members of the Hungarian Publishers’ and Booksellers’ Association.
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ARTIST COFFEE SHOP
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he Artist Coffee Shop, built in 1884, is housed in a Neo-Renaissance residential building on An-
drรกssy Road. Looking back on a past of close to 120 years, the atmosphere of the decorative coffee shop has enthralled countless artists, which is why they were inclined to visit it. It was also a regular haunt of the Kossuth Prize winning Hungarian writer Ivรกn Mรกndy for many years.
His place at his regular table had to be marked with a brass plate at the time, which is still there on the table today. The interior space, furnishings and the beautiful chandelier have been preserved till today, and the elegant style has been amalgamated with comfort. Ladies and gentlemen, artists and art lovers still sit at the tables today, but tourists and young people are also happy to drop in to enjoy delicacies in the unusual surroundings. 27
AVENUE ANDRร SSY
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udapest city centre was linked with the outlying areas and the City Park by the narrow tracked Kirรกly Street until the 19th century. Increased traffic demanded that part of the traffic in the overcrowded Kirรกly Street be diverted. In order to remedy the problem, then prime minister Count Gyula Andrรกssy Sr., proposed the construction of a new avenue and building work was commenced in 1871.
In order to construct road, numerous residential buildings had to be demolished (the homes of close to ten thousand people were knocked down). New buildings were therefore also featured in the construction plans . Meanwhile the plan for building another road came to the fore, namely the Grand Boulevard project. The two new broad roads met at the Octogon, still a gaping pit at the time.
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Although the road was soon completed, construction slowed down due to the economic crisis of 1873 and a large part of the investment by the building contractors was taken over by the upper middle class and the upper class. As the construction of an above ground railway line had been opposed from the beginning, the line for the Millennium Underground Railway was laid beneath the 2310 metre long Andrássy Avenue. The continent’s first underground route was opened to the general public on 2 May 1896. In 2002 Andrássy Avenue became a world heritage site, together with Heroes’ Square and the Underground Railway. To this day it is the broadest and most imposing thoroughfare in the capital. A delight to the eyes, rows of trees run all along both sides of the road. The Hungarian State Opera, numerous famous restaurants, the Artist Coffee House, the Paris Department Store, shops offering world renowned luxury brands, salons and numerous galleries are all found here. It is therefore understandable why thousands of tourists choose Andrássy Avenue as a destination for their visit.
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HEROES’ SQUARE
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ll the lamp posts are facing a peculiar monument on the Hősök tere (Heroes’ square). It is the millennial monument which commemorates the thousandth anniversary of the original settlement of the Hungarians. The monument depicts the heroes who made Hungarian history with their deeds. A Gloriette designed by Miklós Ybl stood here in 1894, which also incorporated a drinking fountain. The Gloriette was short lived, as in the year following its placement the decision was made to build a Pantheon on its site for the Millennium celebration. Sculptor György Zala and architect Albert Schickendanz were commissioned with implementing the task. Statues of 14 Hungarian rulers stood in the original monument. The square was later named Heroes’ Square in 1932. During the communist dictatorship following World War II, the statues were refashioned in accordance with the political views of the age, so the statues of the Habsburg monarchs were replaced. Although the country has been liberated from the dictatorship, the statues of the Habsburgs have still not been returned to their original positions.
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THE VAJDAHUNYAD CASTLE
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he end of the 19th century brought a special series of events for Hungarians. The nation was celebrating the foundation of the state. The Millennium Exhibition of 1896 was part of these celebrations. The event resulted in construction of many new buildings. One of them, found in the Városliget, was this castle with its four different architectural styles designed and carried out by Ignác Alpár. These buildings all display the stylistic features of other monuments from Hungary’s past located elsewhere in the country. The Romanesque period building group includes the Ják chapel, which still today is a consecrated place where Roman Catholic mass is celebrated, the Tompa Tower by the lake and the stone bridge with the lion statues. The Gothic building complex includes the Nyebojsza Tower, which is a copy of the tower in Hunedoara, the great hall and the Apostles’ Tower. The definitive elements of the Renaissance-Baroque building group are the palace in Austrian Baroque style, the Catharine Bastion Tower, and the French Tower visible from the lake.
Due to the budget constraints and short construction deadlines, at first the building complex was largely made from wood, but in consideration of the great success, it was later rebuilt from more durable materials. The work was completed in 1908. After the conclusion of the celebration, the castle was given to the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture where visitors are always welcome.
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GUNDEL
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he word Gundel is synonymous with tradition and quality in the area of hospitality. The founder of the restaurant, Kรกroly Gundel felt it was his goal to gather the values and specialities of Hungarian gastronomy and to amalgamate these with modern gastronomic techniques used in other parts of the world. With his persistent, popularising work he succeeded in putting Hungarian cuisine on the world gastronomy map. Looking back on a past of more than 100 years, the Restaurant has survived the storms of history, the world wars and the changes of regime, and at present is proudly continuing the work of the founder.
It has won numerous national and foreign accolades. The Gundel Restaurant is popular with both Hungarians and foreigners, the secret of which is the milieu surrounding the guests, the inimitable hospitality, the tradition which radiates from the building and environment, and the food compositions prepared from outstanding quality ingredients.
The Gundel Artistic Prize was created at the turn of the millennium, which is assigned each year in 14 categories for the purpose of acknowledging the best in various branches of the arts and in order to support their work. Since 2010 the chairman has been Miklรณs Szinetรกr, Kossuth prize winner, twice Mari Jรกszai prize winner and director of theatre, opera, TV and film.
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SZÉCHENYI BATH
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his magnificent building is Europe’s largest thermal bath complex and was Pest’s first bath. Thanks to mining engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy’s discovery, the bath was in partial operation in 1881. Later, it was rebuilt according to the plans of Győző Czigler to meet the age’s requirements and it became well-known as the Széchenyi Bath. The popularity of the baths grew rapidly and in order to meet increased demands, a plan for developing the baths came to the fore. As a result of this, extension of the public baths wings was competed
in 1927 and the beach swimming pool was constructed. This was the first swimming pool in Pest. Although it was heavily damaged in World War II, partial operation continued unchanged. Heating was provided for the changing rooms in 1963, and since then the open air pools have been open throughout winter. The complex was renovated once more recently, the renovation and modernisation developments on the building being completed in 2006. Since then it has always been a popular place.
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PESTI VIGADÓ
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he first“Place of Merriment”was completed in 1833 to designs by Mihály Pollach, and opened under the name of Redoute. It provided a venue for many significant events of the age.AmongthesecanbelistedFranzLiszt’shighlysuccessfulconcert,JohannStraussSr.appearedhereandthefirstexhibitionof appliedartwasheldhere,thefirsthouseofrepresentativessathere in1848.AustriangeneralHentzihadthebuildingshottopieces in 1849.The new PestVigadó was dedicated in 1865 with a ceremonial ball“with sumptuous public dancing and merriment”. WiththeimplementationofdesignsbyarchitectFrigyesFeszl,it becamethemostimportantculturalinstitutioninthecapitalcity at that time. Many significant personalities have stepped onto the stage in this building. Among them are Zoltán Kodály, Béla BartókandErnőDohnányi.Thebuildingcomplexsufferedsevere damage in the Second World War. Following renovation it was onceagainopenedtothegeneralpublicin1980andservedasa venueforconcertsandhighstandardlecturesformorethantwo decades.Deteriorationofthestateofthebuidlingmaderenovationnecessary,theworkofwhichwascompletedby14/03/2014 and the building was opened with a concert by the Hungarian Arts Academy. At present the sumptuous building provides a venueforconcerts,variousconferences,banquetsandreceptions, and with the opening of new floors visitors are welcomed by a permanent exhibition.
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ELIZABETH BRIDGE
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he first steps on today’s Erzsébet híd (Elizabeth Bridge) began echoing more than a hundred years ago. At that time this crossing point above the Danube was referred to as the bridge of the Eskü tér (Promise Square) and its pavement was fashioned from wooden cubes. Building began in 1897 when there were only two other bridges: the Lánchíd (Chain Bridge) and the Margit híd (Margaret Bridge). Although a price of two krajcár (the currency of
the time, the equivalent of a penny) had to be paid in the little buildings at either end of the bridge, the citizens were glad to use the new bridge. The original bridge was bombed by the German troops in 1945. Then, only years later (November 21, 1964) was the new construction handed over. Following the death of Queen Elisabeth, a decision was made to raise a worthy monument honouring the queen, using monies raised in a voluntary nationwide collection, in the city she loved so much: Budapest.The statue portraying Queen Elisabeth located at the Buda bridgehead of Elisabeth Bridge is to the praise of the creativity of György Zala.
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GELLÉRT HILL
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egend has it that this hill used to be a gathering place of witches, but today it is simply a place with a beautiful view of the city.The name of the hill is closely connected to another legend that tells the story of a bishop. His name was Gellért, and in 1046 he visited the pagan Hungarians to convert them to Christianity, but they resisted, and the bishop was stuffed in a barrel equipped with inward pointing nails and rolled down a hill. Later, the converted Hungarians named the hill after Gellért and erected a statuedepictinghim.Auniversityobservatory was built atop the hill in 1815, but it did not last long. At the time of the war of independence in 1849, soldiers of the Hungarian army set up their artillery guns nearby and fired on Buda Castle from here. As a result of answering fire from the Austrian artillery, the Observatory was destroyed.
The Citadel was raised on the site by the Habsburg dynasty in 1854. At 220 metres long with walls 12-16 metres thick, this stronghold was built primarily for the purposeofintimidatingtherebelliouspeopleofPest, At the foot of the fortress wall overlooking the city, stands the Freedom Statue, which is the work of Zsigmond Strobl Kisfaludi. Today a hotel and restaurant are in operation within the thick walls. In 1987, UNESCO declared Gellért Hill as a world heritage site.
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FREEDOM BRIDGE During the Second World War-similar to other bridges of Budapest- it was demolished, but during the city’s rebuilding, it was the first one to be resurrected . It became a national emblem, the symbol of freedom. A distinctive decoration on the bridge is the historic Hungarian coat of arms on the portals and the turul birds landing on the top of the portals – these being mythological bird sfrom Hungarian origin legends. As the structure deteriorated in several places over the years, renovation could no longer be deferred . The renovated bridge of splendid appearance was once again opened to traffic in the May of 2009.
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riginally named Franz Jozef, the bridge was given to the public as a part of the Millenneum celebrationsBuilt between 1894 and 1896, the monarch himself hammered in the last nail.
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GELLÉRT HOTEL AND SPA
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he history of the Gellért Hotel and Baths goes back to ancient times. In the 13th century, Andrew II established medicinal baths and a hospital here. During theTurkish period a bathhouse named Acsik ilidzse stoodhere.FollowingthereoccupationofBudaitcame into the possession of Leopold I’s family physician, then in 1718 the ownership passed to the city of Buda.
At that time it was known by the name of Sárosfürdő. In 1894 it was demolished when the Franz Joseph Bridge was built. When the concept of Budapest as a city of bathhouses was in formation in the early 20th century, construction of the baths and the hotel once more came to the fore. The building was completed in 1918 in breathtaking art nouveaustyleandenteredpublicconsciousnessas the first luxury hotel and bath in the capital. It ranked among the most modern medicinal baths of the age . In line with requirements of the time, a a hospital was attached . Cuisine was provided by the world famous Gundel Restaurant until 1945. It now bears the name of Danubius Hotel Gellért, which is one of the best known hotels in Budapest. Preserving its traditions, guests are still welcomed by the politeandamiablestaff,astheycometoenjoy the pleasures of relaxation in magnificent surroundings.
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HUNGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
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he idea of founding the museum emerged in times when the national consciousness and the notion of freedom were both becoming apparent among civilians. In 1802, Ferenc Széchenyi, wanting to grant his rich collection to the Hungarian nation, asked the permission of the ruling Ferenc I who, of course, supported Széchenyi’s idea. Later, the 1832-36 Hungarian Diet carried a motion to build an independent house for the museum. The appropriated sum was half a million Forints, and theprofessionallyrecognizedMihályPollachbecame entrusted with the designs . His work was finished by 1847, and the place had a significant role in the 1848-49 war of independence. The revolution broke out after the famous poet, Sándor Petőfi, recited his poem to the nation while standing on the stairs of the museum. From that point on, the building became a museum as well as an emblem of the nation’s freedom. Nowadays the Museum welcomes visitors with a permanent exhibition presenting the history of the Hungarian nation, seasonal exhibitions and interesting, colourful programmes for both younger and older people.
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GREAT / CENTRAL MARKET HALL
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iming at ceasing the noisy and dirty outdoor markets, the City Council established the Central Market Hall. The stately neo-gothic building was handed over to the traders in 1897, and almost at the same time,
four other market halls were built on the Pest side. The building is one of the finest creations of historicism in Hungary, built to the designs of architect Samu Pecz together with the neighbouring University of Economic Sciences. The building has a ground space of 10 000 square metres, the roof is adorned with building ceramics from the famous Zsolnay works, the stone entrance gates represent the Neo-Gothic style. The building was declared a monument in 1977, which was magnificently renovated at the end of the 20th century. In 1999 it was awarded the most prominent accolade of the Chamber of Hungarian Architects. This wonderful building is still in operation as a market hall today, welcoming thousands of local and foreign shoppers and visitors with a colourful selection.
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VÁCI STREET
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áci Street is a busy pedestrian precinct located in district 5, linking Vörösmarty Square with Customs House Boulevard. It is one of Budapest’s most famous shopping streets, which thousands of tourists love to
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visit. Numerous famous restaurants are to be found here, including the world renowned Gerbeaud. Shoppers are welcomed by a broad selection of wares in elegant stores and folk art shops. The doors of the Pest Theatre open onto this street, and the István Csók Gallery is also located here. While walking, it is worth observing the buildings, as many wonderful architectural masterpieces can be spotted here, some of which were built in Classisist, Ecletic, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. On this street stand the former church and convent of the Sisters of Loreto, as well as the Town Hall, the site of the Metropolitan Assembly. Interesting decorative elements can be observed, delighting the eyes. Statues, Zsolnay porcelain ornamentation and wrought iron gates make this street, beloved by so many, intriging and enthralling.
GERBEAUD
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he legendary Gerbeaud (Cafe) is in the heart of Budapest in the Vörösmarty Square. It takes pride in being mentioned among Europe’s oldest, greatest and most famous confectionaries/sweet-shops. It was opened in 1858 and later, thanks to co-owner Emil Gerbeaud’s work, it became world famous. The new owner had an outstanding business sense. He mechanised his plant and increased the staff to 150, a significant proportion of whom had come from abroad to specifically be trained at the Gerbeaud. The varied products were sold in artistically fashioned boxes of his own design. Hungarian confectionery began a new direction, acquiring numerous accolades for Hungarian industry. A process began in the life of the confectionary in 2009, in terms of a new image and a new product range, which besides preserving excellent quality, is produced using the latest techniques. Gerbeaud is a place for those who are fond of old-fashioned and tarnished confectioners.
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EASTERN RAILWAY STATION
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he station’s eclectic building was finished in 1884. At the time, it was the biggest and most modern railway station in Europe. The building itself stands nicely on the Baross tér (square) while the station serves as the main hub for international trains, as well as eastbound Hungarian trains. The workmanship on the 43 metre high railway station, of which the top of the facade is adorned with an allegorical sculpture composition, is to the praise of architect Gyula Rochlitz. Statues of James Watt, inventor of the steam engine, and George Stephenson, designer of the Rocket steam locomotive, stand by the main facade. The spectacular frescoes in the service counter hall were produced by Károly Lotz and Mór Than. When Metro line 2 was built in 1969, the square in front of the station was reconstructed and a system of subways was established between the Metro and the railway station, from which the platforms can be reached on broad staircases. 46
WESTERN RAILWAY STATION
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he old station, which was built in 1842, (although it was uniquely big) became outdated by 1867 due to the modernization . The widely known Eiffel company was entrusted to design and carry out construction of the new station. Building it was quite special because the new station was built atop the old one, and when the works were done the old parts were removed. Construction was finished by 1877; and it became a major station in the city while the building is the honor of the Nyugati square. The railway station received its name in 1891, not from its geographical location, but because trains arrive and depart from here chiefly in westerly directions. The station is a favourite spot for tourists and also for artists. The band Locomotiv GT held its farewell concert here, and numerous video clips have been recorded by foreign performing artists.
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DOHÁNY STREET SYNAGOUGE
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he biggest synagogue in Europe built between 1855-1859 according to the plans of Figyes Feszl and Ludwid Förster, is still a major factor in today’s vibrant Budapest lifesytle. Its neologist style is a mixture of Moorish, Byzantine and Turkish elements. The services are in Hebrew in the spacious interior is capable of accommodating 6000 people. At its opening ceremony, the original organ-pipe, with its 5000 pipes, came to life by the hands of Ferenc Liszt. The synagogue was renovated in 1996 and on this occasion, the organ was also replaced by an almost completely new organ. The Heroes’ Synagogue may also be found here, raising a worthy memorial to the Jewish soldiers who fell in World War I. The lines of the Star of David painted on the wall of the modern building seating 120 are made up of the letters of quotations from the Scriptures. The doors of the Synagogue are open to tourists with multilingual guided tours available, either for individual visitors or groups.