Budapest

179726_hfp_1896-1901_latvanyt_ny.jpg Rebuilt Headquarters of Hungarian Defense Forces will act as gate to the Palace of Buda Castle One hundred and twenty years ago its massive dome was the pride of Dísz Square. However, for the last 70 years, the military headquarters' partially deconstructed remains have lacked form and function. However, this is set to change. After a partial renovation between 2012 and 2014, its continued reconstruction will begin next year, restoring the building to its former glory, and serving visitors to Buda's Castle District.
Exciting artefacts found in cemetery of Roman military encampment Bird rattles, curse tablets, glass jars and jewellery have been unearthed during at an excavation in Óbuda, near Bécsi Road, in the cemetery of the Roman-era Military town of Aquincum.
A train to the imperial city – Budapest–Vienna train line opened in 1850 1850 was a dark year for Hungary. After the war of independence was lost, so was freedom. Haynau's reign of terror through thousands into prison. But in 1850 a dream came true. A rail connection was completed between Pest and Vienna reached.
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.
Pioneering reinforced concrete – Aladár Münnich born 130 years ago One of the most versatile architects of the interwar years in Hungary Aladrás Münnich designed villas, residential buildings, bank buildings, are large-scale urban planning projects. He was also a popular expert writer. But he is best known for his massive industrial project, both at home and abroad.
Second spire of Nyugati Railway Station hoisted into position The renovation of the 8,200-square-metre roof of Nyugati, or Western Railway Station has reached its second major milestone. The spire of the tower near track 13 has been raised into place. In the meantime, the installation of new planes of glass into the roof and the renovation of its supporting structure are also in progress.
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.
"Not on the surface, not in a ditch, or in a tunnel" – Residents protest proposed Pest access roads to Galvani Bridge A petition for the protection of Kiserdő, along Határ Road, was recently taken to the Mayor of Budapest by local NGOs. The petition protests the planned access road leading to Galvani Bridge on the Pest bank of the river.
Villa of János Kádár on Rózsadomb to be used by persecuted Christians from the Middle East The residence of the former leader of the anti-clerical one-party state, János Kádár, is to be used by persecuted Christians. Today, the Prime Minister handed over the villa's keys in the 2nd District to Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch.
Plans to restore Habsburg Gate and Turul statue in Buda Castle announced Renovation of the Royal Palace's neo-baroque style gate in Buda Castle and the surrounding castle walls will begin soon. The Turul statue in the are will also be restored.
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.
Synagogue of Óbuda stands as testament to Hungarian Classicism The Óbuda Synagogue is one of the most important historical monuments of the 3rd District and is extremely valuable within Budapest as a whole as well. Nevertheless, it is less well known than its stunning counterparts in Pest, the Dohány Street and Kazinczy Street Synagogues, despite being an immense example of not only synagogue architecture, but also of Hungarian classicist architecture.
Novelties to fill new campus of University of Physical Education Building permits have been issued for the new buildings of the University of Physical Education. The development will include an indoor swimming pool, an athletics hall, halls of residence for four hundred students, and a sports field on its roof. The Hauszmann historical garden will also be rebuilt and opened to the public.
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.
The birth of Lottóház – Historic buildings lost to the 1956 revolution A small plaza can be found at the junction of Ferenc Boulevard and Üllői Road. It was named in 1996. It is known as Angyal István Park. There is no inscription to indicate this despite a statue of a paper aeroplane being erected in 2014, and most passers-by do not know that the city honoured one of the heroes of the 1956 revolution, the leader of the Tűzoltó Street insurgents, with the square 24 years ago. And perhaps even fewer know that before 1956 the square did not even exist, but was covered by three residential buildings standing side by side.
Construction of Budapest Athletics Stadium begins The construction of the Budapest Athletics Stadium has begun started in the 9th District. The explosive demolition of Vituki tower block is set to begin the project. The rehabilitation of the former industrial zone and the nearby riverbank will create new open sports and recreation park for the public in the area bordered by Rákóczi Bridge, the Csepel suburban railway line, the northern part of Csepel Island and the Danube.
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.
New bridge may be built near Aquincum The Budapest Transport Centre has begun preparations for the construction of a new bridge which would connect Aquincum in Óbuda with Újpest.
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.
Nearly 80 explosive devices from World War II found on Csörsz Street in the 12th District The unique projectiles were found during recent earthworks in Csörsz Street in the 12th District in Buda. Explosives experts found almost 80 different devices which are presumed to have originated from a World War II artillery position.
Underground parking garage and new promenade opens on Dózsa György Road The parking garage on Dózsa György Road has been opened to the. public. The new three-storey parking garage can fit 800 vehicles. Named Múzeum Parking Garage the structure also contains bike stands. and a shower. A 12,000 square metre park and promenade have been created on top of the new building.
Phone lines once defined the Budapest real estate market Life today is unimaginable without a phone, yet not so long ago people could wait decades for a connection to be brought to their flat. Those who had landlines could consider themselves privilege, and those selling flats with one could ask a higher price. Thirty years ago, a new telephone exchange in Csepel with 18,000 lines was a huge step forward. Nevertheless, it seemed that it would only be possible to connect half of the flats in the city with phone lines by 2000.
Construction of metro line 3 completed thirty years ago The construction of metro line 3 was a massive undertaking. After 20 years, it is still not fully completed, while its existing sections have been under constant renovation for years. Its last phase was opened 30 years ago, in December 1990.

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