The reconstruction of the palace of the former Hungarian Defence Forces Headquarters has now reached a spectacular stage: the walls are standing and the support structure is finally completed. On this occasion, a topping-out ceremony was held, it was announced on 10 November on the Facebook page of the National Hauszmann Program. They also informed us that the dome has now been placed on top of the building, which will soon function as a lookout point and become a spectacular element of the Buda Castle.

The post reveals that Government Commissioner Gergely Fodor, the head of the Castle Headquarters, thanked the professionals working on the construction site in his speech. He said that a similar celebration was held here 127 years ago, in October 1895. "According to the plans of the brilliant Mór Kallina, the masters completed the original building then, which was not spared by the war and the destruction of the communists," he said.

Design render of the building of the Hungarian Defence Forces Headquarters (Source: Castle Headquarters)

The building of the former Hungarian Defence Forces Headquarters before (Source: FSZEK Budapest Collection)

The Government Commissioner pointed out that it took almost 60 years for the restoration, but the building, which has stood in shambles for decades, will soon regain its turn-of-the-century form and will be opened as a visitor centre. He reminded that in addition to the Hungarian Defence Forces Headquarters, the Red Cross Headquarters, Archduke Joseph's palace and the northern wing of the Buda Castle will also be reborn in the Buda Castle District.

A decorated tree was placed on the dome of the building (Photo: Facebook page of the National Hauszmann Program)

It was also reported that a decorated tree was placed on the dome of the building with a ribbon in the national colours following the traditions. Together with the steel frame of the roof lantern that adorns the dome, the professionals raised the tree to the roof of the palace.

Video of the topping-out ceremony of the Hungarian Defence Forces Headquarters

Source: National Hauszmann Program

Cover photo: They reached the highest point of the structure of the former Hungarian Defence Forces Headquarters - They held a topping-out ceremony (Photo: Facebook page of the National Hauszmann Program)

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