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Fifty years in the works: Airport express road to become dual-carriageway Although not many people are travelling by plane during the pandemic, everyone agrees that better transport is needed between Liszt Ferenc International Airport and the Budapest city centre. A new rail connection to the airport is in the works, and now a design tender for expanding the expressway to the airport to two lanes in each direction has been announced. But how has Budapest grown out of the road that served the airport for decades?

Stunning buildings stand deserted around Budapest The Hungarian capital is filled with beautiful buildings. Houses, public institutions, museums, hospitals, the list goes on. Nevertheless, several impressive buildings that once fulfilled important tasks stand empty in modern Budapest, waiting for a new tenant to return them to their former glory. This list collects five abandoned buildings found in Budapest.

Ice skating rink to be built on Kapisztrán Square A new ice skating rink is to be built in Buda, within the castle walls in front of the local mayor's office. Parking on the square will be suspended.

Ten stunning domes lost from the Budapest cityscape Following a recent decision reached by the government, the domes and roof ornaments of buildings may be reconstructed around the country. The first three will be completed within a pilot project in Budapest. This list from Pestbuda collects ten buildings that were once famous for their roofs and which we believe should be among the first to be replaced.

Renovation work on central section of M3 begins The renovation of the M3 metro line will continue from 7 November. Trains will not serve Stations between Lehel Square and Nagyvárad Square. Changes to urban traffic and public transport are planned to be in place for one and a half years.

First section of Pest's intertwining tram network completed The first section of the Pest tram network development has been completed in Ferencváros. The development will support diversion efforts during the renovation of Metro line M3, as the 2M tram will provide a direct connection between Nagyvárad Square and the city centre.

Original ornaments returned to Bull Statue in Újbuda The statue entitled Monda ('myth') in Bikás ('bull') Park has been restored. The original ornaments symbolising the Sun, Moon and Starts above the heads of the bulls have been replaced.

New tourism and marketing organization of Budapest created Budapest Brand, the capital's new tourism and marketing organisation, is now responsible for managing Budapest's marketing strategy, creating cultural content, organising festivals and fairs. The organisation's goal is to convey the image of a livable and lovable city.

45 years under ground – A museum on Deák Square about the Millennium underground Railway A museum housed in an abandoned underground tunnel, filled with original rolling-stock, and a slew of objects from the history of one the world's oldest underground railways. All of this for the price of a single ticket in the middle of the city, under Deák Square. The Millennium Underground Museum opened 45 years ago.

Next section of Andrássy Avenue to be renovated – 4,500 new plants planned Gardening works started yesterday along Andrássy Avenue. A total of 4,500 perennial plants and 16 new trees will be planted between Oktogon and Vörösmarty Street.

Three US Presidents remembered in Budapest The United States is electing a new president. As the world follows events across the Atlantic, take a stroll through the US-related buildings and monuments in Budapest.

Buried in Budapest – Great Hungarian figures born beyond the modern borders of Hungary lie in the Fiumei Road Cemetery The number of those born beyond Hungary's present borders but buried in Budapest is almost unfathomable. Among them several well-known and respected figures. The reason is obvious, talented and ambitious youths gravitated to Budapest from all over the country before 1920, just as they do today. Many of them completed their life's work in Budapest. Walking through the Fiumei Road Cemetery one quickly realises how many great Hungarian figures were born outside of the nation's post-Trianon borders. The compilation honours their memory.

Lost to war – Domes and ornaments lost during or after World War II to be restored throughout Hungary Three major Budapest buildings will be the first to have their domes and decorations reconstructed within a pilot project. Following in its footsteps, the government hopes to begin a national initiative to restore the domes and ornaments lost in the Second World War or torn down during earlier reconstruction efforts. Plans also include provisions to provide incentives for the restoration of privately owned buildings as well.

A glance into the past – Budapest in 1990 For those who have always lived in Budapest, the changes of the last thirty years may not be obvious, the buildings lost and built every little change. Some may not even remember what was on people's minds during the fall of communism, or even just how everyday life happened. On the thirtieth anniversary after the creation of the democratic Budapest Local Council take a glance back in time with PestBuda.

Imre Francsek – Lesser known architect behind City Park Skating Rink died 100 years ago The architect behind the ice skating rink in City Park, the colonnade of the Saint Gerard statue, the Buda Civic Casino and several residential buildings. If all his plans had been carried out, Calvin Square and Szabadság Square would be very different. At one point in his career, he even proposed pushing the entire Dreher Palace a few metres to the side. Imre Francsek died one hundred years ago.

The memento of a World Fair never held – Rákóczi Bridge turns 25 Budapest's first permanent urban bridge built since the end of World War II was completed 25 years ago after 30 different plans were drawn up and 20 years of preparation. It was not welcomed unanimously by Budapest's residents, and the world fair that had been the reason behind its location was never held.

A forerunner of modern Hungarian architecture – Remembering Béla Lajta Lajta Béla was one of the most influential Hungarian architects of the first decades of the 20th century. Starting in the footsteps of Ödön Lechner, his art nouveau style grew into a new form and became a forerunner of Hungarian modern architecture. He represented a new approach to the formation of mass while retaining folk-based decorations and the ornamentation of art nouveau, and he connected it to new materials and designed buildings which were monumental in their simplicity. Buildings that have remained beautiful examples of modern urban architecture to the present day.

Statue of George Bush unveiled on Szabadság Square Statue of George H. W. Bush., 41st President of the United States of America, has been unveiled on Szabadság Square. The bronze full-length work was erected alongside a statue of Ronald Reagan.

Pest to Buda, from Buda to Pest – 150 years of the Hungarian Supreme Audit Office The Supreme Audit Office of Hungary (SAO) operates in a special building. Its headquarters are among the few buildings on the bank of the Danube that were not destroyed in the Second World War. However, the building displayed on the commemorative coin on the 150th anniversary is not its current headquarters. The institution's former building was constructed before World War I on the Buda side of the River and designed by Lajos Jámbor and Zoltán Bálint.

First renovated spire of Western Railway Station completed Renovation of the 8,200 square metre roof of Nyugati Pályaudvar, the Western Railway Station has reached a spectacular stage. The first of the spires for the towers on the rear facade has been raised into place. Meanwhile, the new glass panels of the roof are being installed, and the roof structures of the towers on the main facade toward Teréz Boulevard are being removed.

Budapest and love A small collection of poems from Hungarian poets was published recently. Naturally, it is connected to Budapest. The pages of the booklet are decorated with pictures of statues found around Budapest.

Fontana house to be torn down – New construction project begins in city centre Fontana House on the corner of Véáci Street and Régi Posta Street, built in 1984 is to be torn down to make way for a new modern building with commercial areas on its ground floor and housing above.

Southern section of M3 to open on Thursday – Full-line service for two weeks Trains will run the entire length of the M3 metro line for two weeks until 6 November. On 7 November renovation of the central section between Nagyvárad tér and Lehel tér stations will begin.

Stunning decorations line the Renaissance-revival palace of the Main Customs House The Main Customs House building, which today houses Corvinus University is a major sight in Budapest. The façade is decorated by 22 statues of figures from Greek-Roman mythology and traditional Hungarian crafts. The main courtyards, staircases, the internal and external decorations all highlight just how great a masterpiece the building is. Construction of the building began 150 years ago in 1870, according to plans drawn up by one of the greatest Hungarian architects, Miklós Ybl.

Green Liberty – The decision to repaint Szabadság Bridge to its original green was reached 35 years ago Following a tragedy in Vienna, abridge renovation project was launched in Budapest in 1979. Szabadság Bridge was slated for renovation in 1981, however, was eventually prioritised due to urgent work. Despite this, the bridge was closed again in 1985, as the original steel support columns had been corroded so significantly they became unstable. However, during this second renovation, the decision to repaint the bridge to its original green was also made.

Joyous I do's – 125 years of civil marriage in Budapest Laws on state registries and civil marriage were passed in 1894 but only entered into force a year later on 1 October 1895. The novelty of the now everyday ceremony caused such a rush that the three registrars in Budapest at the turn of the century could barely cope with the number of marriage requests. Where and how did the first civil marriage in Hungary unfold?

Government set to take over Budapest development efforts The government would prefer to take over development projects towards which the City Council has requested 55 billion HUF from the state. The plan was revealed as yesterday's sitting of the Budapest Public Works Council. The projects in question include the Biodome and the funicular planner for Gellért Hill. An agreement is yet to be reached regarding these plans. However, the government is already set to take over the development of the H2 suburban railway line to Gödöllő, and its connection to the M3 metro. The extension of the Buda tram network on Műegyetem Embankment is also to be funded by the state. The government has also blocked the city's plans to take a loan from the European Development Bank and the introduction of the so-called restart tax. The 6 billion HUF needed for the renovation of Chain Bridge will be transferred to the city when all other funds required for the project have been secured.

Defined by Ybl and Lechner When asked to name Hungarian architects, most people will likely mention Miklós Ybl and Ödön Lechner. This is no coincidence; the two architects were prolific and important artists is their age. But how much do people know about their time and their contemporaries? The new volume Ylb és Lechner vonzásában provides information on these.

A Székely gate on Sas Hill István Benedek, the renowned 20th-century writer, doctor, psychiatrist and public figure was the son of the great Székely storyteller Elek Benedek, and both of them remain household names in many Hungarian families to the present day. Beyond his books, István Benedek is memorialised by a Székely gate that he carves himself, and erected before the villa he lived in from 1957. Interestingly, the house itself was built by the well-known bookbinder Nándor Gottermayer.

Béla Bartók left Hungary 80 years ago and died five years later Bartók is one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. His life was deeply connected to Budapest. His career began the city, and he left for the United States from here 80 years ago. On the 75th anniversary of his death pestbuda.hu visited the most important sites of his life in Budapest.

Parliament or Palace? – Construction of the Hungarian parliament began 135 years ago On 12 October 1885 150 workers began to dig a 40,000-cubic-metre pit. With this construction of the Hungarian parliament building began based on plans drawn by Imre Steindl. Lasting nearly two-decades the project transformed a neglected, to-be-developed part of the city, Tömő tér, into one of the most symbolic places in the country.

A place of beauty in the heart of the city – 225 years of Bakáts Square There are few places in modern Budapest where the defining institutions of community life can be found side by side. There may not even be such a place any more. Nevertheless, one-hundred or one-hundred and fifty years ago people believed it was vital that they not have to cover large distances to go to church, drop their Children of at school, reach a hospital quickly or sort official matters out. It was best, if church, school, hospital, administrative offices or maybe even a cinema or social club could be found nearby. Bakáts Square was just such a place.

Zugló turns 85 – A district of palaces, villas and housing estates Established ninety years ago, Zugló became an independent district 85 years ago. The 14th District connects the city centre with the outer parts of the city, and its role is reflected in its architecture. Beautiful villas built by artists stand alongside stunning school buildings, monuments and the headquarters of various institutions in the styles of historicism and Art Nouveau and these were joined in the 1970s by housing estates.

A bridge without a name – How Chainbridge in Budapest had no name Chain Bridge in Budapest had no official name until 1915 and is still known simply as Chain Bridge in everyday use. However, Lajos Kossuth proposed in 1842 at the laying of its foundation stone that the bridge be named after his great political rival, István Széchenyi, the aristocrat who initiated the construction. Others hoped to name the first permanent crossing between Buda and Pest after princes and princesses. Still, the Ministry of Finance that owned the bridge accepted none of these recommendations. Finally, Széchenyi's name was carved into the structure in 1915, when it was fully rebuilt during the First World War.

Master bell founder Laszlo Szlezák born 150 years ago László Szlezák is possibly one of the best-known Hungarian bell-founders. He came to Budapest at the age of 14 and cast beautiful bells for churches throughout the city. Several of them can still be seen, for example in the Reformed Churches in Angyalföld and on Városligeti Avenue, on Ferenciek Square, in the Catholic Church on Haller Street, and the Kőbánya Church designed by Ödön Lechner. His largest and most famous work, the 7945 kg Saint Emeric bell cast for Saint Stephen's Basilica was destroyed in the Second World War.

Péter Pázmány never visited Budapest – Born 450 years ago the prelate remains a symbol of Hungarian unity When in 1635 Péter Pázmány founded the first University in Hungary – the successor of which operates in Budapest today – Buda and Pest were occupied by the Ottomans. Thus, one of the greatest figures of Hungarian baroque literature, and a leading figure of Hungarian Catholicism, never visited what is today Budapest. Nevertheless, two universities in the capital vie to preserve his memory. Several statues and other works of art depict him around the city, emphasising how the life's work of this Hungarian prelate is unavoidable in public life, education, culture and religion.

New rail bridge being built between Ferencváros and Lágymányos The bridge being built is the sixth structure to connect the tracks on the two sides of the Danube beside Rákóczi Bridge. However, the current construction is unique, as it is similar to threading a thread through a needle. See the photos of the unique procedure below.

Art Nouveau meets the modern world – The final building planned by Albert Kőrössy Kálmán The renovation of the villa under 26 Benczúr Street was recently completed. The exterior designed by Albert Kálmán Kőrössy has remained an art nouveau villa, while the interior has become a modern space, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Build as a residential building, it later became a language examination centre, and now houses a centre for education and innovation.

Hospital on the outskirts – Huge effort by 19th-century decision-makers improved healthcare The construction of Saint John's Hospital (Szent János Kórház) began 125 years ago, on a hillside where vineyards had once stood. The 300-bed modern hospital was much needed, as the old building of the hospital, on the present-day Széna Square, was gravely overcrowded. Doctors feared that the influx of workers to the capital caused by the construction of projects connected to the upcoming national millennium would lead to catastrophe.

Kőbánya pays its respects to King Saint Ladislaus Before the stunning church planned by Ödön Lechner in Kőbánya stands a statue of King Saint Ladislaus. The district also houses not only a church, but a respected secondary school, a primary school and a square that bare the name of the saint king. As the cult of Saint Ladislaus is uniquely strong in this part of the city, the district was gifted the statue of saint in 1940, when the nation commemorated the 900th anniversary of his birth. The statue by Károly Antal, was erected before the church as the public sculpture of the king to be placed in Budapest.

The baroque splendour of Óbuda – A palace visited by Maria Theresa The Zichy Palace on the main square of Óbuda (Fő tér) once housed a luxurious lifestyle. The building's baroque splendour, ornate gates, large interiors, its ballroom, billiard room and shooting range, alongside its garden with fountains and exotic plants guaranteed both entertainment and rest. Even Queen Maria Theresa visited the famous palace, where concerts and theatrical performances were commonplace, and even the count himself acted. What has remained of the legacy of the Zichy family?

Research into what was once the Pest city wall Archaeologists have carried out excavations in Bástya Street in the pest city centre, where part of Pest's city wall once stood. The dig led to finds from the 13th century to the Ottoman Period, including the remains of houses, kilns and ditches.

Legends from Buda Castle: Descendants of Hauszmann and Strobl join opening of new photographic exhibition in the Castle Garden Bazaar The descendants of the Alajos Hauszmann, the Teleki family and Alajos Strobl can be seen in the portraits newly on display on the Southern Panorama Terrace of the Castle Garden Bazaar. The exhibition entitled legends from Buda Castle – open until 15 November – highlights the connections between the Castle and Budapest through the lives of people deeply connected to the Castle District.

Church on Szabadság tér constructed for refugees from territories lost after Trianon A church can be found under 2 Szabadság Square, on the ground floor of a six-storey residential building. Wedged between two other blocks of flats, those walking along the pavement may not even realise that they had walked by a church. Few know that it was built by Hungarian refugees that moved to Hungary from areas annexed by neighbouring countries after the Treaty of Trianon that ended World War I.

Graves from the Ottman-era and medieval walls found on Margit Boulevard A cemetery from the Ottoman-era has been found during excavation under 19–21 Margit Boulevard. Archaeologists are now searching for the walls of the houses of Felhévíz.

Vigadó of Buda and a family house in Hűvösvölgy named Houses of the Year The winners of the House of the Year competition have been announced. The renovation of the Vigadó of Buda won accolades in the public building category, while a family home in Hűvösvölgy one in the house category.

A place of secrets – A visit to the garden of the National Museum The Night of Artefacts was held this week in Budapest, Between 17–19 September. As part of the event, a walk entitled The Secrets of the Museum Garden was led by Béla Debreczeni-Droppán in the garden of the National Museum.

A Garden for Kings – The oldest trees of Buda Castle each have a story to tell Standing mementoes of the lost glory of royal gardens the old trees of Buda hold something of the Castle's history. The Japanese pagoda trees, fruit-bearing fig-trees, stunning oaks, lindens and planetrees, or mulberry trees from a time when Hungary produced silk, all have stories to tell. But they do need some help...