Numerous valuable finds have emerged during the excavation and basic excavation of the northern wing of the Buda Castle, the National Hauszmann Program reported on its community page. The finds can help determine the color, texture and use of the palace, which was expanded at the turn of the last century according to the plans of Alajos Hauszmann. The rubble of the palace, which was severely damaged in the siege of Budapest, was classified after the World War, and the pieces deemed unnecessary were carried to the Bloodfield, where it was covered with half a meter of arable land.

Among other things, pieces of Zsolnay's wall tiles were unearthed (Source: Facebook / National Hauszmann Program)

The demolished foundation walls of the western façade of the former northern connecting wing (today’s “B” building) have been excavated. The most significant development here, by all means, is that original pieces of plaster have been found that can finally be used to determine exactly what the original color of the exterior plaster was like.

 

Former foundation walls excavated under the Hunyadi courtyard (Source: Facebook / National Hauszmann Program)

In addition, some pieces of the original Hauszmannian roof were found. Based on these, it can be stated that the roof of the palace was once covered with a bluish-red, natural English slate, which was decorated with additional greenish-colored elements on the attic domes. They also found a fragment of a copper chimney structure.

Pieces of Walla's green-and-white cold cover (Source: Facebook / National Hauszmann Program)

On the eastern side of the northern connecting wing, on the ground floor, Hauszmann designed the kitchen, confectionery and other service rooms, the floors of which were covered with tiles made of green and white marble mosaics by József Walla, while the walls were covered with tiles of Zsolnay-factory. Fragments of these have also been found in ongoing research, as well as pieces of tile stoves used to heat the palace's premises.

The original location of the now-found wall fragment in the former cloakroom lobby (Source: Facebook / National Hauszmann Program)

As reported by the National Hauszmann Program, there are even fragments of artificial marble that most likely once covered the locker room and the walls of the Buffet Hall. On the east side of the palace, Hauszmann designed a representative row of rooms on the first floor, which could be accessed through the main gate from St. George's Square and then through the foyer. Part of this representative row of rooms was the richly decorated Buffet Hall.

One of the most important goals of the National Hauszmann Program is to allow the Buda Castle to once again shine in the light that Alajos Hauszmann dreamed of at the turn of the century. Therefore, research is being continued to make the reconstruction of the palace as credible as possible.

Source: National Hauszmann Program

Cover photo: The original location of the now found marble fragment in the contemporary Buffet Hall (Source: Facebook / National Hauszmann Program)