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Building of the University of Theatre and Film Arts was once owned by the YMCA The buildings of Budapest hide many secrets. At times, the city can even surprise those who have been researching the history of its buildings for years. In many cases, plaques placed on facades commemorate or highlight interesting details from their history. One such plaque can be found on the facade of 2/C Vas Street, the building of the University of Theatre and Film Arts. The text encourages passers-by to dig a little deeper into the structure's history, by noting that a church once stood within the walls.

Churches of the Holy Family call the faithful in both Buda and Pest On 27 December last year, Pope Francis announced in Rome that the Catholic Church will celebrate a special year dedicated to family love, beginning on 19 March 2021. Discussions about the concept of a family have recently brought the issue to the front of public debates, making the Year "Amoris Laetitia Family" a particularly well-timed initiative in the country. Currently, three churches in Budapest are dedicated to the Holy Family, reminding the faithful that family appeared as a fundamental value and a natural element of human existence at the beginning of Christianity. In preparation for the year of the family, Pestbuda visited the Churches of the Holy Family in Zugliget and Terézváros.

Old school in 1st District being torn down – Residential building planned as replacement The former Szent Gellért Primary School building is being torn down at 8 Gellérhegy Street in the 1st district. A residential building with 44 flats will be built in its place. Demolition began a few days ago.

Buda Castle and drinking water: Water pumps designed by Adam Clark completed 165 years ago A settlement needs water. And Buda Castle had various water supplies even in the middle ages. The city was supplied with water from the springs of Svábhegy and the Danube. Until the middle of the 19th century, pumps powered by animals pushed the water to the top of the hill. The first engine-powered pumping station in Buda was established 165 years ago, opening in 1856. Its designer was Adam Clark, the engineer that led the construction of Chain Bridge.

Plans to develop surroundings of Keleti Railway Station A real estate development program will be launched in the area around Keleti Railway Station. Government to provide 800 million HUF towards preparations.

Legendary locomotives arrive at future site of Transport Museum — Exhibition to showcase vehicles and plans The Museum of Science, Technology, and Transportation is preparing a large-scale temporary exhibition at its new home in the Északi Járműjavító, or Northern Vehicle Repair Shop. While the opening of the new Transport Museum is still a way down the road, the exhibition hopes to present the past and future of the new site to the public. When the public will be able to visit the exhibition depends on how the pandemic unfolds, but the vehicles to be showcase have already arrived at the site.

The eight-month miracle – Kossuth Bridge completed from scraps 75 years ago Previous articles on PestBuda have detailed how the retreating German forces destroyed all Danube bridges in Budapest. After the war, a series of temporary structures were erected to connect the battle-torn city’s two halves. However, it was obvious that a somewhat permanent structure would be needed. The result was Kossuth Bridge.

Cars to be barred from City Park – Heroes Square to become pedestrian zone Officials announced that plans to create a car-free City Park are being prepared. A new overpass will be built above the Rákosrendező railway station to connect Zugló and Angyalföld. A new P+R car park, with 1500 spaces, is to be built at the terminus of the Millennium Underground at Mexikói Road.

Bulgarian community in Budapest renounces right to use property on Bajza Street in return for state funding The Hungarian state is providing 2,6 Billion HUF of funding, and the Bulgarian state 350 million HUF of support towards the construction of the new Centre of Bulgarian Culture on Vágóhíd Street in Ferencváros. In return for the state aid, the community will renounce its right to use a property on Bajza Street in the 6th District. The new cultural centre will be completed within two or three years.

Further sections of ancient settlements found along Rákos Stream Archaeologists have found traces of wooden houses from the late Bronze Age, built 3300 years ago, in the 14th district. Wooden remains, ceramic artefacts and a pendant have been unearthed during the excavation.

Rebirth: Historic palace at 47 Andrássy Avenue restored The building has housed one of the most beautiful cafes in Budapest, a casino, a pharmacy, a glove shop and a car dealership. Until recently, the building that once housed Café Palermo was a black sheep on Andrássy Avenue, but the era of real-estate related corruption and degradation has come to an end. Standing on the corner of Liszt Ferenc Square and Andrássy Avenue, the building currently hidden by a safety net, which hides the luxury apartments being built as part of the restoration.

CNN lists House of Hungarian Music among most anticipated buildings of 2021 CNN has listed the House of Hungarian Music being built in City Park as one of the most anticipated buildings of 2021 globally. The structure will serve as a museum, event venue and educational centre.

Hidden natural treasures of Budapest – The Jane Goodall Trail Jane Goodall, the internationally respected conservationist, environmentalist and researcher, has visited Hungary several times. However, few know that an educational trail bears her name in Budapest, and is worth a visit for everyone who lives in the city. It can be found on the outskirts of the 2nd District, in Pesthidegkút. But what did Goodall do in the area?

A lookout in the works – Medieval István Tower the inspiration behind tower of the National Archives The National Hauszmann Program recently announced that the destroyed tower of the National Archives' building in Buda Castle would be rebuilt during the building's renovation. Join Pestbuda on a stroll through the history of this iconic tower.

Foundation of Central Bank of Hungary buys building of the former Burg Hotel in Buda Castle The former state-owned building of Burg Hotel on Szentháromság Square in the 1st District will be purchased by the Pallas Athéné Domus Meriti Foundation of the Central Bank of Hungary. The hotel closed in 2019, and the building has been vacant ever since.

A green promenade instead of tracks – Improved suburban rail for Budapest The suburban railway (HÉV) lines to Csepel, Ráckeve and Szentendre, are to be completely renovated. Trains will be faster, tracks and stations rebuilt, and new, accessible, air-conditioned trains will be purchased. In the first phase of the development, the HÉVs will enter a tunnel at Közvágóhíd ('public slaughterhouse') station and run to Kalvin Square with a stop at Boráros Square. The tracks will disappear from the riverbank allowing for the creation of a cohesive new park promenade.

Statue of Attila József unveiled on Kossuth Square 40 years ago A few years ago, the temporary removal of the Attila József statue – erected in 1980 on the site of the former Andrássy monument – from Kossuth Square due to the area's renovation caused an enormous uproar. Many believed that the work had been removed permanently. But a few months later, the statue was on Kossuth Square again. Although it was not put back in its original place, many say it found a better place only a few metres away, on the riverbank.

Statue of Alfred Hajós planned for Margit Island A tender has been announced for the creation of a statue of Alfred Hajós. The sculpture will be erected on Margit Island, which is connected to Alfred Hajós's intellectual and professional heritage.

An enchanted world at your fingertips – A hike to Mária Gorge A small area on the edge of Budapest has almost been forgotten and never was among the city's best-known areas. The Virgin Mary has been considered a patron saint of Hungary since 1038, when King Saint Stephen, who died without an heir, offered the nation into her protection after his son's death. Hungary has often been referred to as Regnum Marianum in Latin sources ever since, and countless toponyms (place names) including Mary, Mária in Hungarian, have formed. However, only two of these are rock formations. One of these stands on Budapest's present-day border (the other in the Békás /Bicăjel/ Strait in Transylvania).

The father of the Hungarian National Museum, Count Ferenc Széchenyi, died 200 years ago Among the noble families of Hungary, the Széchenyi's particularly contributed to the growth of Budapest. Works associated with István Széchenyi, the Chain Bridge and the building of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences are emblematic sites of the city, and his father, Ferenc Széchényi, can be tied to important institutions such as the National Széchényi Library and the Hungarian National Museum. The two respected institutions, which were one at the time, were founded in 1802 by Count Ferenc Széchényi as the third national collection in Europe. Today is the 200th anniversary of his death.

Puskás Arena receives international award Puskás Arena has one the special prize for most beautiful sports facility at the Prix Versailles Architecture Awards. One of the largest arenas in Central Europe opened in 2019.

Budapest Christmases of old What did festive preparations look like in the Belle Époque and the decades following the first world war? Join PestBuda on a glance through Christmases of the past based on old newspaper articles and photos from Budapest's olden days.

Former OPNI building to house university not grammar school In a recent interview the Minister of Finance stated that after renovation, the former building of the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology (OPNI) would house an institution providing higher education in diplomatic and economic training fields. Thus, contrary to earlier reports that the government does not plan to establish a boarding school in the 39,000 -square-metre building complex, which stands in a 41-hectare park.

Királydomb listed as National Memorial site The National Assembly has passed a bill to list Királydomb as a national memorial site. In present-day Kőbánya near the Rákos Stream, the area was the traditional meeting place of the national diets in the Kingdom of Hungary.

First steps to revitalise Népliget made – The largest park in Budapest has been neglected for decades The Budapest City Council is preparing plans for the renovation of the public park known as Népliget and the protection of its natural values. Anyone who visits the park has been invited to share input into the design phase.

National Restoration and Museum Storage Centre opens Relocation of artefacts and works of art is already underway. The construction of the modern restoration workshops has been completed, and work has begun in the newly established National Restoration and Museum Storage Centre, in which more than three hundred thousand artefacts will be preserved.

OPNI remains in state hands – Former psychiatric hospital to be renovated Following a recently passed law the building that once housed the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology (OPNI) will be renovated, after standing empty for 13 years. The gardens of the property will also be revitalised, the Minister of Finance announced on Saturday.

A gem on Andrássy Avenue – The Bulyovszky Villa Elegant and spectacular villa buildings line Andrássy Avenue, one of them is the Bulyovszky Villa. The villa was built as a summer house for the famed actress Bulyovszky née Lilla Szilágyi and designed by the young Sándor Fellner. Standing on the corner of Rippl-Rónai Street, the building recently reemerged into the spotlight. The 55% share of the property'S ownership rights, held by the Hungarian Women's Association was put up for auction. The process was suspended in early December, and the Hungarian Women's Association sold its share. The ill-fated villa has thus entered new ownership. Making this the best moment to dive into its past.

New life for former psychiatric hospital in Lipótmező Plans to create a five-year, international boarding secondary school in the building that once housed the National National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in the 2nd District have been slated. The building will remain state-owned. The building on Hűvösvölgyi út was built as a mental asylum in 1868 and was closed in 2007. It has been empty since.

Fehérvári Roundel and Western Gardens of Buda Castle to be renovated, new parking garage planned The Fehérvári Roundel and its surroundings are to be demolished and rebuilt to its original size in Buda Castle. One of the main goals of the National Hauszmann Program is to allow visitors to Buda Castle to explore the Castle District by walking around it on its walls. The Fehérvári Roundel plays a major role in enabling this. Following the reconstruction, a previously closed section of the western castle wall will be opened, connecting the roundel to Csikós Courtyard. The western gardens will be revitalised to evoke the vineyards and orchards that once surrounded Budavár. Várgarázs III. will meanwhile further reduce the number of cars parked in the Castle.

New Centre of Bulgarian Culture to be built in Budapest The renovated and expanded Community Centre for Bulgarians in Hungary has be opened to the public on Vágóhíd Street in the 9th District. The construction of a new Bulgarian educational and cultural centre on the empty plot next to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and Methodius on the far side of the street was announced at the ceremony. The centre will stand opposite the Community Centre and be built with 2.6 Billion HUF funding from the Hungarian Government.

Renovation of Danubius Fountain Completed – Footless Szava restored One of the most beautiful and largest fountains in Budapest, the Danubius Fountain on Erzsébet Square, has undergone a comprehensive renovation in recent months. Its stones have been cleaned, missing parts replaced, and even worn gilding replaced.

Masterpiece of 20th-century Hungarian architecture – National Swimming Pool turns 90 The first Hungarian Olympic Champion, Alfréd Hajós was also the man to design the National Swimming Pool, the temple of Hungarian water sports. Standing on Margit island the structure is not only central to sporting life in the country but remains a masterpiece of 20th-century Hungarian archictecture.

Sports in 19th century – National Gymnasium turns 150 One hundred and fifty years ago, a gymnasium was built in Budapest, a building that still stands on Szentkirályi Street. However, it is not quite like modern sports halls. From the outside, it looks just another palace. Only a small plaque reminds passers-by that it was once built as the National gymnasium in 1870 following the Austro-Hungarian compromise, during Gyula Andrássy's term as Prime Minister. This is what a gymnasium was like at the time: it looked like a palace and housed not only three halls and dressing rooms, but space for the community to live its life. While the rooms are now used for university education, the sports halls still serve their original function.

Fifty years since the new trains arrived some are still in use on suburban railway lines Over the last few days, a number of articles have surfaced regarding the two companies that remain in competition to provide the new trains for the suburban railway lines. The new vehicles are much needed, as most of the current trains were bought in the 1970s. The oldest of them has been in use on the Csepel line for 55 years.

Fifty years of construction – Saint Stephen's Basilica opened 115 years ago St. Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest. Today, it is one of Budapest's most famous monuments of the capital, thanks to the work of Miklós Ybl. However, it also features prominently in the oeuvre of two other architects: József Hild started its design, while József Kauser finished its construction. Construction lasted an astounding 55 years, and the church was finally consecrated 115 years ago, on 19 November 1905.

A remény adventje – Idén csendes ünneplés lesz a Szent István-bazilikánál The Christmas market before Saint Stephen's Basilica was voted the most beautiful Christmas Market in 2019. This year, the event will be unusual and move online. The three festive symbols, a 12-meter tall decorated Christmas tree, a nativity scene and an Advent wreath with a diameter of 5 metres will be placed in Saint Stephen's Square.

Budapest, the 1920 Olympics and the storms of history Hungarian athletes and sports fans have long been preoccupied with the question of when Budapest will host the Olympic Games. Budapest has applied several times and even won the right to host the 1920 Olympics 100 years ago. Many plans for the various buildings were drawn up but World War I pushed history in a different direction. In the centenary of this failed bid, join PestBuda in a glace through the plans, and what was realised of them.

New sports hall of Szent Margit Secondary School opened The secondary school in Buda has received a completely new sports hall, the roof of which is a handball court.

Tradition and Modernity: The sacred art of Béla Lajta In a recent article, PestBuda honoured the memory of Béla Lajta. One of the leading Hungarian architects of the early 20th century, Lajta played a definitive role in the formation of Budapest in the period. Continuing a series in honour of the centenary of his death, join us on a tour of his sacred art in the Jewish cemeteries of Salgótarjáni Street and Kozma Street.

Ruins of observatory found on Gellért hill Archaeological excavations are happening in preparation of the renovation of the Citadel. Around the fortification, the ruins of the observatory that once stood on Gellért Hill but was destroyed in 1867 have been found. The dig team has also confirmed the find of a First World War gun carriage, Celtic, Roman, and Ottoman Turkish coins. The renovation of the courtyard is set to begin soon, accompanied by the restoration on the outer walls.

National Christmas tree erected on Kossuth Square The massive silver pine will decorate the square from the beginning of Advent to Epiphany.

Tens of thousands of fires – A short history of the 150-year-old Budapest Fire Brigade Founded in 1870 through the initiative of Ödön Szécsenyi professional firefighters have been battling flames in Budapest ever since. Over the last 150 years, they have proven themselves not only during fires and catastrophes but through the storms of History during the world wars and the siege of Budapest. Their work is now a fundamental requirement of the city functioning safely.

The only pope to visit Budapest twice: Pope John Paul II Allegations that surfaced recently in the McCarrick report have ignited calls to have Pope John Paul II stripped of his sainthood. The much-revered Pope was the first to visit Budapest, and as a result, has a living memory in Budapest.

Built in an uninhabited area, houses now surround the 250-year-old Franciscan church Augustinian Friars built the baroque church and monastery in the previously uninhabited area of what is today Buda. In 1785 the complex passed on to the Franciscan Order, who expanded the original building. Residential buildings have since surrounded the Franciscan church. Nevertheless, the walls have survived the vicissitudes of history and continue to offer peace to their community.

Masterpieces with a view – A visit to the Royal Palace of Buda Castle A few secrets from Buda Castle: there is no gas in the building for security reasons; thus, the whole complex is connected to district heating. The current dome reaches higher than the original planned by Alajos Hauszmann. At the turn of the century, the length of the connecting halls facing the river was matched only by Versailles. Pestbuda visited the building before pandemic-related limits on events entered into force, as part of a guided tour offered within the Budai Várséták ('walks in Buda Castle') series of the National Hauszmann Program.

A new bridge in the heart of the 11th District A rail bridge has crossed above the intersection of Tétényi Road – Bartók Béla Road and Karolina Road in the 11th District for 71 years. In connection to the development of the Southern Ring Railway, a longer and wider railway overpass is being built. The goal is to convert the newly gained space underneath into an urban plaza, with trees and greens, and ample room for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport passengers to move through freely.

Extra work slows renovation of Western Railway Station The renovation of the 143-year-old Nyugati Pályaudvar's, the Western Railway Station's, roof is underway. However, due to newly discovered faults revealed by the work in progress, further repairs will have to be carried out on the historical monument. These unforeseen additional tasks will delay completion of the restoration until the end of summer 2021.