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Ornaments for three decades – The entrance halls of the Millenium Underground Railway Continental Europe's first underground railway was opened on 2 May 1896, the first day of the national millennium celebrations, after only nineteen months of construction. The unique vehicle strengthened the character of Budapest as a global city, connected the centre of Pest with City Park. The implementation involved construction not only underground but on the surface: with the exception of the Opera House, an entrance hall was built at the stations. However, these ornate little buildings later fell victim to the “modernisation” of the cityscape.

Under deconstruction: Fontana building being torn down Those wanting to take a last glance at the Fontana building, built in 1984 on the corner of Váci Street and Régi Posta Street, should hurry. The large-scale demolition works are already underway. The former shopping centre will soon be replaced by a more modern building on Budapest's top shopping street.

Paris Department Store on Andrássy Avenue opened 110 years ago The Paris Department Store at 39 Andrássy Avenue opened to the public 110 years ago, on 3 March 1911, after its previous building at 38 Rákóczi Road burned down, and the store moved to its new location. However, the new building of the Paris Department Store was larger and more luxurious than its predecessor. It was opened to shoppers until the end of World War II.

A virtual visit to Budapest – Explore Kossuth Square online A new virtual tour of Kossuth Square around the Hungarian Parliament building has been released. The virtual space includes a collection of rarely seen films and less known facts to offer visitors a deeper understanding of the Hungarian nation's main square, its buildings and memorials.

Unique bicycle track being built in Budafok A bicycle pump track will be built in the 22nd District, in a previously unused area next to the Budafoki elágazás tram stop. Amateur and professional cyclists will be able to use the area. A wide promenade will lead through the park, and other communal spaces will be built as well.

House of Hungarian Music to open before Christmas The construction of the House of Hungarian Music in City Park has entered its final stage. To commemorate the occasion, a time capsule was placed in the centre of the building. The institution will open its doors to the general public before Christmas this year.

Restoration of Turul statue begins in Buda Castle The turul statue of Buda Castle has been lifted from its pedestal and moved to a temporary restoration workshop created on Savoyai Terrace. The statue will be cleaned, its bronze work repaired, and the internal iron frame reinforced.

Explore Archduke Joseph's Palace – Designs for the interior to be rebuilt revealed The reconstruction of Archduke Joseph's palace in Buda Castle will begin later this year. Newly released visuals showcase the glass-roofed ornamental main staircase, a two-story-high ceremonial hall, and the Renaissance revival garden.

A street in Buda and a mountain in Australia – Who was Tadeusz Kościuszko? Kosciuszko Tádé Street in the 1st District is generally well-known. However, few people know who the person behind the name was and why the street known as Koronaőr Street before 1948 was renamed in his honour. However, the hero of Polish independence, Tadeusz Kościuszko, born 275 years ago, was so well known in his day that in addition to a street in Buda, the highest mountain in Australia was named after him, and his statue was even erected in Washington.

International Investment Bank moved into Chain Bridge Palace The listed historical monument, Chain Bridge Palace, designed by Miklós Ybl, has become the Budapest headquarters of the International Investment Bank. The Renaissance revival building was completed in 1869 and opened in its new function on Friday.

From military training ground to nature preserve Not far from Megyeri Bridge, an environment filled with rare plants has survived, with biodiversity that would be sensational anywhere in the country. Yet a few decades ago, the Újpest Homoktövis Nature Reserve, one of the last remnants of the Rákos Fields, was still a military training ground. Join Pestbuda on the newest instalment in a series that explores the national wonders of Budapest.

A palace of glass – Szervita Square Building completed The new glass building on Szervita Square will house offices, luxury apartments and a parking garage. With seven overground and five underground stories the building replaced the old parking garage that was built on the square in 1973.

Restoration of Habsburg Gate and Turul statue in Buda Castle has begun The ornate gate built during the Hauszmann-reconstruction of Buda castle stands at the Szent György Square station of the Buda Castle Funicular. The ornate fence, stairs, and the adjoined great Turul statue – erected in 1905 – are being restored.

Cultural Centre in Buda Civic Casino to open on Krisztina Square The Budavár Cultural Centre has moved out of its previous home, the Andrássy Palace, at 6 Bem Quay. The institution will soon move into its new home at 1 Krisztina Square in the newly renovated building of the former Buda Civic Casino. The institution will operate as the Sándor Márai Cultural Center in the future.

The first panel building in Budapest was completed sixty years ago – A new era began next to Üllői Road In Hungary, a housing shortage defined the 1950s. Due to forced industrialization, thousands moved to the cities, chiefly Budapest and the newly created idealistic cities. However, there was not enough vacant housing in these cities. The communist government believed industrialised house construction to be the solution. As a result, the first panel building in Budapest was completed on the József Attila Housing Estate sixty years ago.

Renovation of Klauzál Square Planned The largest square in Erzsébetváros will be redesigned with larger green spaces, a dog park, and a playground. The local council awaits input from residents regarding the plans.

From Venice to Moorish ornaments – Uránia National Film Theatre turn 125 An iconic building in Budapest and one of the most important works in the oeuvre of the architect Henrik Schmahl has served Hungarian culture and entertainment for 125 years. The unique building with Moorish ornamentation is home to both the Uránia National Film Theatre and the University of Theater and Film Arts. The structure will now be given a new function. With the closing of the Ódry Stage, it will become a theatre for student productions. However, this article will offer a deep dive into the history of this marvellous building and its place in Budapest, rather than the details of a complex reorganisation.

Designs of future Szentlélek Square made public Szentlélek Square, one of the busiest public transport junction in Óbuda is to be renovated. The first visuals of the plans have been made public. The modernisation will be carried out in multiple phases. In the first, the current pavilions will be replaced with new structures, including public restrooms, a tobacco shop and a breakfast café. The central building will be built in the second phase within three years.

Public park planned in Bástya Street will showcase archaeological finds from the area The future public park at 1–11 Bástya Street in Pest will be built next to the old Pest city wall's longest still-standing section. The newly published plans reveal that a mini educational trail will be created to present the archaeological artefacts found in the area. Planners have also put great emphasis on the comfort of the visitors and creating green surfaces.

The oldest bell in Budapest – A Chapel on Margit Island preserves the memory of the Premonstratensians The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré is celebrating its 900th anniversary this year. Traditional holds that the French order appeared in Hungary shortly after its founding during King Stephen II's rule between 1116 and 1131. The white canons remain active in Hungary to the present day. Yet in Budapest, a chapel they have not used in centuries is the most well-known building connected to them. Saint Michael's Chapel in the northern part of Margit Island was rebuilt from ruins by a central figure of Hungarian conservationism, Kálmán Lux, in the early 1930s.

Engine shed near Western Railway Station to be transformed into acrobat training centre The National Centre for Circus Arts will be built next to the Western Railway Station. A former engine shed will be transformed into an acrobat training school. The construction of the centre has been declared a priority investment for the national economy.

Lower embankment to be renovated between Parliament and Margit Bridge The Budapest City council has begun the process of renovating the pest lower embankment between Margit Bridge and Kossuth Square. The public procurement tender published today on the EU website details that the work will be completed until 31 December 2021. The government will provide 787 million HUF in funding towards the project.

Life after assassination – Róheim Villa, where István Tisza was killed to be restored Near City Park, the eclectic villa building at 45 Hermina Road, completed in 1900, is to undergo a comprehensive renovation. Its facade and roof will be rebuilt, and the lavish but now dilapidated interior restored. A fountain will be installed in the garden and valuable trees preserved.

Sanatorium, hospital and military installation – Art nouveau North Pest Hospital awaits rescue When completed in 1903, the North Pest Hospital – part of Pestújhely at the time – was the only Art Nouveau hospital complex in the country. Opening as the Niedermann Sanatorium, the building later housed a workers' hospital and then became a military complex used by occupying Soviet forces. It was used as the central health institution to serve soldiers stationed in Hungary. The Art Nouveau main building now provides specialist care for outpatients, but most of the more than thirty structures are unused, abandoned and dilapidated – despite nine of them being listed historical monuments.

City of the Future – Railway development connects new areas to city centre What will Budapest look like in 20 years? According to current urban development efforts, the air will be much cleaner, the underground, suburban railways and rail services will be connected. Commuters will happily board clean, on-time and frequent trains to get to work from the outer parts of Budapest and towns in the agglomeration. Sixteen new railway stations will be built to support this purpose, while huge areas once used by the railway may be rehabilitated and handed over for residential use. At least this is what the newly completed Budapest Agglomeration Railway Strategy says.

Massive leisure park to be created on neglected plots near Pál-Völgyi Cave A leisure park will be established on three neglected plots bordered by Csalit Street – Csatárka Road – Szikla Street in the 2nd District. The plans have been made following consultations with locals. The leisure park will include an outdoor gym, a geological and botanical educational trail and garden, a running track, a playground, a giant slide, a dog park and a traffic park.

National Conservation and Storage Centre named best public building in Europe The Liget Budapest Project has received yet another international prize. The National Conservation and Storage Centre, built on the former Szabolcs Street Hospital, has won the “Development of the Best Public Building in Europe” category in one of the world's most international real estate awards.

Letters of József Eötvös to be published – New insights into 1848 revolution expected Researchers in the Eötvös Loránd Research Network's (ELKH) Research Centre for the Humanities are working to collect and publish the letters of József Eötvös. The five to seven-volume series will allow those interested in the era to gain a better understanding of education policy in 1848, from nurseries to universities, and the various ideas about the relationship between church and state after 1867, highlighting the dilemmas and compromises of the liberal government of the time and the everyday life of the emerging Hungarian state administration.

Lookout tower to stand next to the largest lake in Budapest The newest lookout tower of the capital will be completed soon in the 16th District in the forest surrounding Lake Naplás. The 22-meter-high building, constructed from wooden beams, has been designed to fit into its environment and will offer an unparalleled panorama of Lake Naplás and the Gödöllő Hills.

Cut in half and expanded – The not so everyday history of a Church There is an almost average 18th-century church, the history of which is much more exciting than its simple yellow walls would suggest. It was once cut in two and expanded – and it also served as the venue of a famous wedding 185 years ago. The happy couple were not everyday people. The bride was the widow of Károly Zichy, and the groom was István Széchenyi.

We need a team! - First professional football match in Hungary played 120 years ago Football spread from England to Hungary in the 1890s. The Hungarian Football Association was founded 120 years ago in 1901, and in the same year, the first Hungarian football championship began. Budapest Torna Club (BTC – 'Budapest Gymnastics Club') became the first winning team, with the Olympic champion architect, Alfréd Hajós in its ranks. The BTC remained the dominant team in the league for a few years and was soon succeeded by MTK and FTC.

Missing historical elements of Chain Bridge to be restored during renovation The bridge will be closed to road traffic for 18 months from the beginning of summer this year, while pedestrians will not be able to cross the river on its pavement from the spring. The stone lions and missing historical elements will be restored during the renovation. Public lighting on the structure will be modernised with LEDs, and the bridge's illumination will also be updated to facilitate different colour changes.

The man who introduced compulsory education – 150-year anniversary on József Eötvös's death His statue stands on the Kossuth Monument next to the Parliament among the greatest figures of the Reform Period. His bronze statue rises proudly above a square that bears his name in the Budapest city centre. A respected secondary school was named in his honour, and the house named after his novel The Carthusian still stands on Svábhegy. He was also the politician to introduce compulsory education. The writer, politician and statesman, József Eötvös died 150 years ago. A leading figure of the Reform Period and subsequent decades, his policies are as much part of his oeuvre as his novels. Visit the sites that memorialise the nobleman in Budapest.

Puskás Arena nominated for EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture Puskás Arena has been listed as a candidate for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture. The 208,000-square-metre stadium was opened in 2019 after 3 years of design and 3 years of construction. With its height of 52 meters, the arena has become a characteristic element of the Budapest cityscape.

Citadel renovation to create 1500 square-metre exhibition space Several lifts, a pool, a 1,500-square-metre exhibition space and a twenty-metre flagpole will also be installed in the Citadel as a part of the current reconstruction, which will see the walls and gardens of the structure completed in 1854 completely renewed. The work will be carried out by the consortium of ZÁÉV and Market Zrt. for 14.8 billion HUF.

Another Icarus retires – The 415 family never became popular in Budapest Budapest has just bidden farewell to another bus type: the last Ikarus 415 was recently retired from service. The model appeared in Budapest in 1987 but never became dominant, even though the factory had planned to replace the classic 200 series with the new design. Rather, its role was similar to a substitute player: rarely allowed to shine.

The Wise Man of the Nation – Deák Ferenc died 145 years ago He played a prominent role in reaching the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which created the dualist state known as the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The compromise led to stunning development in Hungary. Ferenc Deák, the "Wise Man of the Nation", died on 28 January 1876, 145 years ago. Many memorials throughout Budapest stand in honour of the great statesman.

Reconstruction of the former Red Cross headquarters on Dísz Square to begin in 2021 Designed by Alajos Hauszmann and Dezső Hültl, the palace once housed the Red Cross Society, and then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The representative spaces of the palace, torn down after World War II, and its façade will be rebuilt according to the original plans. Other areas will be reimagined for the modern age.

New school building on Völgy Street in 2nd District nears completion A topping-out ceremony has been held at the new school building under construction in Völgy Street within the 2nd District. Teaching will begin in the new structure in September, with 350 students enjoying the new conditions.

Changes planned for the area around Buda bridgehead of Petőfi Bridge Goldmann György Square in the 11th District will be completely transformed. The university is planning to construct new buildings in place of the V2 building and the canteen that have stood empty for years. A zero-emission research centre has been planned for the site. Dive into the history of this unique site with PestBuda!

Renovation of Blaha Lujza Square to begin this year Traffic flow around Blaha Lujza Square will be redesigned, creating a pedestrian-friendly space with new trees. The grass-covered areas of the square will increase, and water games added. A unique pavilion for events and cultural purposes will be built. The facade of the Corvin Department Store will also be restored. Work beginning in 2021 will last for roughly one and a half years.

A bridge of legends – Mythbusting the stories about Chain Bridge The lions have always had tongues, and the bridge is not a copy of another structure in England, not was it named after Széchenyi in 1899. There are several urban legends about Budapest’s oldest permanent river crossing, and some have even made their way into professional writing, despite being untrue. Join Pestbuda on an adventure to separate fact from fiction and uncover unique facts about this outstanding, unparalleled structure in Budapest, Chain Bridge.

University of Theater and Film Arts opens new campus on Mészáros Street The Zsigmond Vilmos Institute of Motion Picture Arts will move into the newly renovated former headquarters of Duna TV on Mészáros Street in the 1st District. Students are expected to begin using the campus in February. The University organised a press tour of the new facilities.

A master of beautiful gates – Works by Gyula Jungfer adorn public buildings around Budapest A walk around the representative public buildings of Budapest is almost a walk to visit the major works on GyulaJungfer. The artist that reimagined ironworking in Hungary and elevated it to an applied art was born 180 years ago. His work still defines Budapest.

Renovation of Chain Bridge to begin at the end of February The public procurement procedure for the renovation of Chain Bridge has been completed. The renovation will begin at the end of February, and the technical handover procedure will be finished by the autumn of 2023.

A forgotten bridge on the Danube – Many forget the second road bridge under construction in Budapest Two bridges are being built as part of the Galvani Bridge development project. The cable-stayed structure spanning the main Danube branch has been discussed in detail but the other bridge planned to cross the Soroksár branch of the river has almost been forgotten, despite being a major and beautiful piece of infrastructure.

Irredentist statues erected on Szabadság Square 100 years ago The group of irredentist sculptures erected in response to the Trianon Peace Treaty was unveiled a hundred years ago, on 16 January 1921. One of the first spectacular responses to the treaty that ended World War I was welcomed by a crowd of 50.000. The sculptors. Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl, István Szentgyörgyi, János Pásztor and Ferenc Sidló cast the statues to depict everything that the territories lost only half a year earlier had meant in Hungarian history.

Historical buildings avoid destruction in Budapest city-centre In response to recent events, the Prime Minister's Office has ordered the initiation of listing two buildings as historical monuments of Budapest. All work must stop on the Márványmenyasszony ('marble-bride') restaurant in the 1st District, which hosted the weddings of historical figures such as Széchenyi and Wesselényi and the house on Kazinczy Street, which has become known as Tamás Wichmann's pub. Although the future of these buildings remains uncertain, their history is known all the better.