News

Rác Bath sold – Budapest bath operator wins auction The story of Rác Bath has reached another milestone, after standing empty for ten years since its renovation. During the liquidation procedure, Budapest Gyógyfürdői és Hévizei Zrt. (BGYH) was the only bidder to buy the spa and the hotel built at the starting price of about five billion HUF. However, the opening will have to wait, as the building needs further renovations.

Mushroom on Örs Vezér Square to close Let's meet on Örs, at the Mushroom! The common sentence marks a meeting place almost as well known as the clock on the old Moszkva Square. The Mushroom once housed a traffic control centre but on 1 June 2021, even the ticket offices are closing. The fate of the building remains unknown.

Renovated military parcel in Fiumei Róad Cemetary inaugurated Parcel 52 of the National Cemetery is reserved for members of the military who died a hero's death. The newly renovated area was inaugurated on the Day of Hungarian Heroes. During the renovation, the plot was expanded, and new paving stones were laid. Public lighting and benches in the area were replaced and the site relandscaped.

Cannonballs found in the Danube near Chain Bridge Archaeologists have found two medieval carved stone cannonballs in the Danube riverbed. One is so huge that they were unable to bring it to the surface. The projectiles may be from the late Middle Ages. Many other valuable archaeological finds have also been unearthed.

Memorial plaque unveiled on house of Hungarian poet János Pilinszky The Imre Kertész Institute has commemorated János Pilinszky, who died forty years ago and was born a hundred years ago. As the opening of the half-year event series, a memorial plaque was unveiled today at the poet's former home on Izabella Street. Pilinszky's life will be presented at an outdoor exhibition on Benczúr Street.

Renovation of the Pest embankment to on 7 June that of Blaha Lujza Square in early July Two major reconstructions in Budapest will begin this summer. In a week and a half, the renovation of a section of the lower embankment of Pest between Margit Bridge and Parliament will begin. The renovation of Blaha Lujza Square is scheduled to start in July, but according to simpler designs than previously planned.

Stone column of every station standing on Golgotha Square Fourteen stone statues have already been erected on Golgota Square in Józsefváros. Bronze reliefs depicting the stations of the cross have been placed within them. The restoration of the stations was initiated by the Józsefváros Local Council in 2019 and is being carried out with state funding.

Lutheran church on Deák Square named National Memorial Site The Insula Lutherana in Budapest that is the building complex of the Lutheran church, grammar school and museum on Deák Square has been named a National Memorial Site. Supported by the government, the National Memorial and Remembrance Committee and the Institute of National Heritage, the site was listed as a memorial on 22 May 2021.

Main building of the Central Bank of Hungary under renovation On the centenary of the founding of the central bank in 2024, the headquarters of the institution will be renovated to their original form on Szabadság Square. The building was built in 1905, its external appearance has not changed since then, but its interiors were significantly remodelled after World War II, undermining its historical value. Now its original beauty will return, inside and out.

Renovation of Csepel suburban railway to begin in two years The suburban railway line to Csepel will be extended in both directions, and the work will be carried out in several stages. In the first phase – from 2023 – a new terminal will be built in the 21st District on Erdősor Street, in parallel with the modernization of the line from the Kvassay Bridge outwards. In the second phase, the line will be connected to the Ráckeve line at the Public Slaughterhouse and extended underground to Kálvin Square. Implementation of the second phase will begin in 2024 at the soonest.

Winter sports season to be extended on Normafa The 12th District local council has begun preparing the snow cannon investment planned for Normafa. As part of the works, pipes are being laid in the ground, to which the cannons will be connected in the winter. Once completed, lovers of winter sports will be able to use the area for over 3 months each year.

MOME campus development wins international award The MOME Campus building complex has won an award in one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world – the University has announced on its website. The competition awarded works that are characterised by technological innovation, ingenuity and outstanding design.

New trams heading for Budapest The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) has agreed with the manufacturer of CAF trams. Until mid-May 2022, BKK will be able to call the 51 optional vehicles included in the 2014 contract at the original price.

Most modern boat of the Austro–Hungarian Navy launched 150 years ago The Lajta monitor, one of the most modern warships of its time, was launched 150 years ago, on 17 May 1871. The surviving river boar of the former Austro-Hungarian Navy is now a museum. Its special feature is that the Lajta monitor is the only one in the world from the monitor type river version.

Coins and metal works from the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin found on construction site An excavation is taking place in the 11th District on Rupp Hill. Archaeologists are reviewing the area before construction. Although the site is mainly Roman, valuable objects from other eras have been found; such as medieval coins, metal works from the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin and the foundations of a building from the 2nd or 3rd century.

Café open in Guard House in Royal Palace of Buda Castle The Guard House (Főőrség) building opened on Friday. Visitors are invited to the cafe and an exhibition of the 260-year history of the Hungarian Royal Guards. The building designed by Alajos Hauszmann and built in 1903 originally served as the headquarters of the Palace and Royal Guards.

Divers to search riverbed near Chain Bridge for bombs and wrecks In connection with the renovation of the Chain Bridge, the Danube riverbed around the bridge will be cleaned. During the work, which is expected to take a month and a half, the river will be surveyed with sonar and divers in the 50-meter vicinity of the bridge. Any unspent ammunition found will be disarmed and pieces of metal removed.

Demolition: Irén Psota's birthplace to be destroyed Another detail of the old Budapest is set to disappear, as the demolition of the building at 23/A Tömő Street in Józsefváros will begin soon. The four-storey building, built in the 1880s, in which actress Irén Psota was born, was sold by the local council in 2019, and the new owner has already received a demolition permit.

Szinyei Merse Pál Grammar School renovated Next year Szinyei Merse Pál Secondary School will celebrate its 125th anniversary. Plans are for the renovation of its facade to be completed by then. Standing on Szinyei and Kmety Street, the building designed by Ármin Hegedűs was completed in 1897.

Running track added to Rózsakert Sport Centre A sport-focused development in Budafok-Tétény has been completed. A running track has been added to the Rózsakerti Sports Centre and an ice skating tent is also being set up.

Community area completed along Rákos stream Soon the public will be able to visit the new rest area created on the banks of the Rákos stream. On the southern side of the pedestrian bridge between Hajdú Street and Hajdú Alley in 13th District has been made more comfortable with a less steep incline and a waterfront pier.

Reconstruction of Normafa car park begins – New greens to replace asphalt On 10 May, one of the most important elements of the renewal of Normafa, the elimination of the old bus stop and car park, will begin writes the website of the 12 District local council. What is now an asphalt area in a protected forest will become a green community area. A car park has been created on Konkoly-Thege Road.

Facade of southern connecting wing restored according to original plans – Royal Palace of Buda stands in its original splendour During the reconstruction of the Buda Castle, the original, turn-of-the-century condition of the southern connecting wing has been restored. Várkapitányság has announced, the southern facade of the building was rebuilt according to the original plans, as has the northern facade facing the Lion's Court. After the restoration of the internal spaces, the interior design of Saint Stephen's Hall also started a few weeks ago.

Kőbánya velodrome to open this year The first roofed bicycle course in Hungary is being built in the 10th District. BringAréna planned to open before the end of the year.

Music school finally to move in to Damjanich Street building The tender for the right to rent the building at 4 Damjanich Street in Erzsébetváros has been closed. Based on the decision, the Antal Molnár Music School can move into the local council's property previously renovated for the school.

Five-storey expansion of clinic in Ferencváros to go ahead The Ferencváros Health Service Centre will be expanded with a new five-storey building. Within the Healthy Budapest Program framework, the government is providing a total of 5.6 billion HUF for development.

The pedestal of the Mária Square memorial column is being renovated – The statue was restored last year The pedestal of the Mária Immaculata memorial column in Mária Square in the 1st district is being restored. The upper part of the work, along with the statue, was restored last year.

Huge new park opens in Budapest The surroundings of Puskás Arena have been revitalised. A new public park awaits visitors with huge green areas, playgrounds, a running track and sports fields. After the European Football Championship, even more sports fields will be built in the area.

Next steps for a car-free City Park – Planning of the new Pest overpass begins Another milestone towards a car-free City Park has been made. The Budapest Development Center has signed a contract to design a new overpass in Pest over the Rákosrendező railway station. It has also announced a public procurement procedure for designing a P+R car park to be built at the Mexikói road underground station.