Renovation of the former Budagyöngye Hospital will begin soon. "It may soon open in its original beauty, in its original function," wrote Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament Mihály Varga on his Facebook page. 

The building on Tárogató Road was originally run by the Daughters of Saint Francis of Assisi, built in the 1920s. The order is dedicated to nursing, teaching and educating, so in the 1930s, it decided to establish a nursing school and train nurses.

Convent of the Daughters of Saint Francis of Assisi on Tárogató Road in 1932, contemporary postcard 

The institution was nationalized after World War II, the order of nuns was dissolved. A school of the communist party replaced the former nursing school. In 1956 it became a Children's Lung Hospital and a medical school, and later the Pest County Lung Hospital. The building was expanded in 1975, and it became a part of Szent Rókus ('Saint Rock') Hospital.

Budagyöngye Hospital was closed in 2007 (Photo: Mihály Varga's Facebook page)

Ten years later, in 1985, the institute became an independent Pest County Hospital, and in 1997 it again became a division of Szent Rókus Hospital. Finally, in 2007, at the same time as the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology (OPNI), it was closed and all equipment transported to Szent Rókus Hospital.

The building, which has been empty for years, will regain its original function after the renovation, as a training centre and housing for nurses (Photo: Mihály Varga's Facebook page) 

The six-building complex on a wooded plot of more than 14,000 square meters has stood empty for years. The decision to renovate it was reached last year, the construction will be implemented with government support.

Former ward in Budagyöngye Hospital (Photo: Mihály Varga's Facebook page)

Renovation and construction planning is currently underway, with construction work set to begin early next year. The Church Health Education Center will be part of the investment and train 200–220 nurses and healthcare assistants annually. 

Cover photo: The former Budagyöngye Hospital (Photo: Mihály Varga's Facebook page)