Budapest

Petőfi, the Hungarian National Archives and the Riding Hall to be on the collector coins The Hungarian National Bank is issuing a total of 24 collector coins this year, in a total of 14 different themes. The new coins feature, among others, the 200-year-old National Anthem, Sándor Petőfi, Mihály Csokonai Vitéz, and the Hungarian National Archives, which is celebrating its 300th anniversary. There will be a hexagonal coin as well, such as the new element of the National Hauszmann Program series, the Riding Hall.

The Holy Crown has returned home – Hungarian relics were taken off the American plane to the sounds of the Rákóczi March On 5 and 6 January 1978, Budapest and Hungary became the centre of attention in the international press. The reason for this was that it was then that the United States of America returned the Holy Crown to the Hungarian nation. The Holy Crown was solemnly received in Budapest.

BKV was established 55 years ago - There was a ticket inspector on all vehicles and one could travel cheaply On 1 January 1968, Budapest Transport Company took over the capital's public transport from three other companies. Until then, Budapest's trams, buses, suburban railways and other means of transport were operated by three independent companies, the Metropolitan Electric Railway Municipal Company, the Metropolitan Bus Municipal Company, and the Metropolitan Suburban Railway Municipal Company. In addition, the new organisation absorbed the Municipal Shipping Company.

The headquarters of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office is 125 years old The Hungarian Royal Central Statistical Office was established in 1871. For a long time, the institution did not have an independent home and was constantly forced to move. The turning point occurred in 1896 when a legal article was published on the construction of the independent building. The plans were prepared by the renowned architect and university professor Győző Czigler. The handover of the new headquarters took place on 18 December 1897, but the staff of the office only took possession of the building in January 1898.

The Museum of Technology was founded three times - Unparalleled Hungarian memories are preserved in the collection created 50 years ago Fifty years ago, the Hungarian Museum of Technology was founded for the third time. According to the founding document dated 1 January 1973, its task is to collect and present Hungarian natural science and technical memorabilia. The museum preserves such special treasures as Ányos Jedlik's electric motor created in 1828 and his electric car made in 1855, the world's first carburettor engine, the first Hungarian computer and the very first Gömböc.

This is how Sándor Petőfi and Júlia Szendrey lived in Pest after their honeymoon Sándor Petőfi, who became a young, patriotic poet, moved from sublet to sublet in Pest in the early 1840s, but love and marriage changed his life: he went from subtenant to main tenant. Pestbuda recalls these locations on the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great national poet, showing in which street, in which house, and under what conditions he lived with his young wife after the marriage and the honeymoon.

This is how Budapest developed in 2022 - Several public buildings were handed over this year 2022 will almost certainly go down in history with a negative tone, as it was burdened by a series of crises from which Hungary could not extricate itself. Nevertheless, Budapest developed very nicely, many investments were completed this year: several new buildings were completed and many monuments were restored. On the last day of the year, Pestbuda looks back and summarises the events of the year.

The last tram passed through Rákóczi Road and Erzsébet Bridge 50 years ago Tram traffic started on Rákóczi Road already 125 years ago, and there was a time when five different lines passed through here. But the means of transport, which is very popular with the travelling public, was gradually pushed out of the inner city districts. The last tram passed through Rákóczi Road and Erzsébet Bridge 50 years ago, on 31 December 1972, and its journey ended at Móricz Zsigmond Square. The demolition of the tracks soon began. In recent years, it has been brought up more and more often that the tram should be brought back to this route.

Háros, the beauty of the southern ends The capital's natural beauties are quite scattered. This is perhaps fortunate in that every district has at least one park, forest or waterfront. During this trip, Pestbuda will take a look at the southernmost part of the main branch of the Danube near Budapest. The region where the wide, slow-flowing Danube has been touching the quiet settlements for thousands of years. This region is the most beautiful part of the 22nd District along the Danube: Háros.

Beszkárt, the capital's public transport company, was founded 100 years ago Budapest's public transport was operated by several companies for a long time, for example, there was a period when the tram services only were operated by three different companies. But 100 years ago, the Budapest Székesfővárosi Közlekedesi Részvénytársaság [Budapest Capital Transport Company], or Beszkárt, was founded, which soon gained control over all the capital's means of public transport.

The death of Baron Manfréd Weiss of Csepel, a member of the House of Magnates Manfréd Weiss, a canner, became one of the richest Hungarian tycoons, the owner of Csepel Steel and Metal Works. When he died 100 years ago, they said goodbye to a wealthy industrialist who built a hospital, maternity home, sanatorium, nursery for his workers, and operated a soup kitchen for the poor. His huge empire, in which machine tools, sewing machines, stoves, bicycles, cars and aeroplanes were made, survived him by decades. The Csepel Steel and Metal Works Trust was dissolved in 1983, and independent companies were created from its units and tried to meet the increasingly difficult market challenges.

A little Transylvania on the edge of Budapest - Lutheran churches of Rákosmente The tiny Rákos Stream flowing through the edge of Pest gave its name to a series of quarters in the 16th and 17th Districts, including Rákosliget, Rákoskeresztúr, Rákosszentmihály, Rákoscsaba and Rákoshegy. There is also a great similarity in their built environment, they show a rural, small-town image. Moreover, they also share a high degree of similarity between their evangelical churches: they are reminiscent of Transylvanian fortified churches.

The foundation stone of the new gymnasium of the Baár-Madas Reformed High School in the 2nd District was laid On 19 December, the foundation stone of the newly constructed gymnasium of the Baár–Madas Reformed High School, Primary School and Student Dormitory in the 2nd District was laid. The new gymnasium is expected to be completed at the end of 2023.

The Batthyány Square terminus of the suburban railway was handed over 50 years ago The Budapest terminus of the suburban railway [HÉV] from Szentendre has been moved several times, most recently just 50 years ago, when it moved to its current location, Batthyány Square. The timing and the location were no coincidence either, as the suburban railway was able to connect to the metro this way which was also handed over at the time. The current terminus was handed over 50 years ago, but it may also change in the future.

Merger of Buda, Pest, Óbuda and Margit Island: 150 years ago the city unification law was announced Budapest is one of the most beautifully situated capitals in the world, something Hungarians can be really proud of. It is always nice when a foreigner marvels spectacularly, for example, at the panorama from the Castle. But Hungarians owe these ecstatic expressions not only to the gift of nature but also to the built environment created by our ancestors. Buda and Pest have lived in each other's neighbourhood for centuries, yet their unification provided the impetus that later resulted in so many fantastic buildings on both banks of the Danube. At the end of 1872, after a long history, the parliament passed a law on the merger of the cities, which was approved by the monarch on 22 December 1872 and was announced the next day.

Metro 2 was completed 50 years ago - Construction was started with spades and shovels Despite the fact that the first underground railway on the European mainland started in Budapest in 1896, the next underground railway section was completed in its entire length only fifty years ago, in December 1972. The construction lasted for more than twenty years and did not lack difficulties.

This is what the reborn Buda Castle will look like - From now on, anyone can see the plans The restoration of the Buda Castle has begun, and the visuals for its reconstruction have been published in the past few days, so now we know exactly what the building will look like after the reconstruction is completed. The Neo-Baroque royal palace was built between 1890 and 1905 with a significant expansion of the previous palace, but after 1945 it was rebuilt and simplified due to war damage. Anyone can see the reconstruction plans in the visitor centre that opened on Monday in Hunyadi Court.

Sightseeing with the Ikarus 66: the Museum of Transport invites everyone on a nostalgia trip In December and January, the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology And Transport invites those interested to a special experience. People can visit the most beautiful places in Budapest with an Ikarus 66 retro bus, and during the trip, they can also get to know the world of the age of the vehicle. The nostalgia service starts today, people can get on the oldtimer-certified bus at Heroes' Square, at the entrance to the City Park Ice Rink.

The Chain Bridge has been handed over, but cars and pedestrians cannot drive over it yet From 16 December, the road on the Chain Bridge is available for those travelling with BKK vehicles, taxis, bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds. The bridge is scheduled to open to pedestrians in the fall of 2023.

The Miraculous Hind statue was handed over in the garden of the former Postal Palace The Miraculous Hind statue was inaugurated in the garden of the Hungarian National Bank Supervisory Centre and Money Museum, i.e., the former Postal Palace on Krisztina Boulevard. The symbol of the Money Museum, the five-metre-high work standing on a six-metre-high pedestal, which symbolises renewal, ascension, and abundance, can be clearly seen by pedestrians and motorists on Krisztina Boulevard from afar.

Scandalous background, sensational ending - The Lukács Villa on Ostrom Street is 100 years old The steep Ostrom Street, which opens into the Bécsi Kapu Square, is home to several valuable buildings, which are worthy of the prominent location with their sophisticated appearance. However, the history of the creation of the former Lukács Villa at number 5 is riddled with scandals, but this can also be attributed to the turbulent era. The walls of the villa, which was completed 100 years ago, hide this flaw, and to today's observer, they only tell about the designer's genius.

The first section of Hegyalja Road was completed 90 years ago Nowadays, Hegyalja Road is one of the most important traffic routes in Buda, as it connects Budaörsi Road with Erzsébet Bridge. Its existence is natural to everyone now, many people get to Lake Balaton this way, but when the original Erzsébet Bridge was built, the road was not yet ready: its first section, which was built by public workers during the economic crisis, was handed over 90 years ago. The investment caused controversy, some feared for the silence of the Tabán.

The death of Ábrahám Ganz caused a shock - He was the godfather of 64 factory workers' children, who all inherited Ábrahám Ganz, the respected manufacturer from Buda, committed suicide 155 years ago, on 15 December 1867. The Ganz Factory, barely more than 20 years old, was at the peak of its success, and Ganz himself was a recognised citizen of Buda. With his death, he left a huge void, as he had no heir who could have taken over the family business. However, the factory survived and rose to incredible heights.

The Chain Bridge will be opened on Friday: buses, taxis, motorbikes and bicycles can use it again From 16 December, BKK vehicles, taxis, and people travelling by bicycle or motorcycle can use the Chain Bridge. The renovation of the bridge continues, including the reconstruction of the monument elements and the construction of the pavement. Pedestrians are expected to be able to use the bridge after the completion of the final stage of the renovation in the fall of 2023.

The oldest building in Ferencváros stands on Kálvin Square - The story of the former Két Oroszlán Inn The house at 9 Kálvin Square is the oldest building not only on the square but also in the capital's 9th District that is still standing today. In the past two centuries, it has been through many things, it has been used for many things, but the most important thing is that it was used and this not very large, but cultural-historically significant building of Pest classicist architecture has survived.

The new campus of Corvinus is already under construction on the side of Gellért Hill, the renders have just been presented The design renders of the new campus of the Corvinus University of Budapest, which is already under construction in the 11th District, were presented. In the new university centre located at the junction of Ménesi Road and Mányoki Road, in addition to the educational buildings, innovation and community spaces will also play an important role, a 180-bed dormitory is being built, and an 11,000 square metre park will also serve the students' comfort. The new campus will be handed over next autumn.

The renovated Blaha Lujza Square was handed over - It was announced more than 5,5 years ago, it has now been realised On 10 December, the public could take possession of the renovated Blaha Lujza Square. The transformation of the square named after the "nightingale of the nation" was decided in 2017 by the General Assembly of Budapest, which allocated the necessary funds in March 2018. However, the actual work did not start until June 2021. The space that has just been handed over has turned out to be different in many ways than it was imagined five years ago.

Constructions in Pest 150 years ago, before the unification of the city Pest and Buda already prepared for the unification of the cities in 1872, a large-scale urban development plan was adopted in Pest, and large investments were decided upon. However, other buildings also rose in the city. Take a look at how the city developed and how much did it cost to build a residential building.

The Advent Basilica was chosen as the best Christmas market in Europe for the third time The Christmas market next to Saint Stephen's Basilica, the Advent Basilica, has become the best Christmas market in Europe for the third time. This year, the event even broke a record, as it won with the most votes of all time.