News

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.

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.

Four tram stops to be redesigned on Line 50 Following the renovations on tram line 50 passengers will be able to access the platforms through ramps, to help wheelchair users and commuters with prams. Work is expected to last until this Autumn.

Replanning of Szent János hospital begins Szent János Hospital, which covers nearly 150,000 square meters and has nearly fifty buildings, will be renovated over several years. The designers promise that the listed historical buildings of the pavilion-type hospital will be redesigned to preserve their architectural heritage while bringing them in line with the demands of modern medicine.

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.

The future of the Citadel seen from the sky A unique drone video is giving viewers a sneak peek into the future of the Citadel. The dilapidated fortress on the top of Gellért Hill will soon be renovated. Its outer walls, courtyard and cannon tower will be restored. The new public park will open in 2022, and an exhibition entitled "Bastion of Freedom" showcasing the Hungarian nation's struggles for independence will open in 2023, housed in the old cannon tower.

New exhibition about the Middle Ages opens in the Castle Museum The Vármúzeum ('Castle Museum') of the Budapest History Museum has created the fifth exhibition that places the finds of mediaeval archaeology from the past year in the spotlight. While the physical exhibition does exist. Currently, visits are limited to virtual tours.

Planning of Népliget Railway Station begins The planning of the third new stop on the Southern Circular Railroad has begun after the planners were confirmed. The new station will provide an easy transfer to metro and national coach services.

New buildings of University of Theatre and Film Arts revealed From February, the University of Theatre and Film Art will continue work in new, renovated and modern educational facilities and new names for its institutes — the university's leadership has announced.

Construction of passenger centre in Keleti railway station begins The passenger centre's construction in the 137-year-old Keleti Railway Station, which serves 11 million passengers each year, is set to begin. The station's underpass section will be completely redesigned, and passenger access to the station will be easier with new escalators and lifts. The project will increase passenger comfort and is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.

Memorial plaque remembers victims of the Maros Street massacre A memorial plaque has been unveiled in the courtyard of the former Jewish hospital, to commemorate the victims of the massacre carried out by members of the Arrow Cross Party on 12 January 1945. Forty men and forty-four women lost their lives, including patients, doctors and nurses.

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.

Castle walls and walkways being renovated in Buda Castle The restoration of the parks and walls of Buda Castle is continuing with work to renovate the retaining walls and walkways throughout the Palace. The elegant historical gardens will regain their former elegance.

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.

Two tram stops renovated in Óbuda The tram stops at Selmeci Street and Szent Margit Hospital have been completely renovated. The passengers of lines 17, 19 and 41 will now enjoy wheelchair access and safe, protected pedestrian crossings to the completely renewed platforms.

Central Bank of Hungary to issue commemorative coin in honour of Saint Stephen The Central bank of Hungary has launched a new series of commemorative coins entitled "The Kings of the Áprád Dynasty that built a nation." A coin issued in honour of Saint Stephen will be the most valuable, with a face value of 500.000 HUF.

Renovated Nursery opens in Terézváros The Patrona Hungariae Nursery has been opened following a complete renovation and expansion. The nursery at 65 Szondi Street in the 6th District has been made accessible for those with limited mobility, while new group and development rooms have been created on the newly added upper floor. The internal courtyard was also renovated with new toys and plants.

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.

Oldest working butcher shop in Budapest shuts down One of Budapest's oldest and most beautiful butcher shops at 29 Mester Street closed its doors on 31 December.

Former tram terminus in Zugliget to be renovated The former tram terminus at Zugliget is to be renovated as part of the Normafa Park Program, with additional funding provided by the government. A new skating rink will be added to the complex.

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.

Ruins opened on Szent György Square in Buda Castle A section of the previously closed ruins of what was once the royal stables have been opened to visitors in Buda Castle. The green areas and flowerbeds, and paving of Szent György Square has also been renewed.

Szentlélek Square to be transformed – Pavilions to be demolished at entrance to Óbuda A transportation hub of the 3rd District is to be renewed. The neglected buildings are to be removed and the square redesigned to fit its historical setting.

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?

Offices of National Assembly to be renovated Also known as the White House, the Offices of the Member of the National Assembly are to be renovated. The Office of the National Assembly has issued a public procurement tender for the planning of the renovation of the office building at 19 Széchenyi Embankment.

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.

Ornaments being added to facade of Southern Connecting Wing of the Royal Palace The reconstruction of the Southern Connecting Wing of the Royal Palace of Buda Castle, including one of its most magnificent rooms, St. Stephen's Hall, is progressing as intended. Ornaments resembling the facade's original decorations are currently being added to the exterior walls. Meanwhile, the beautiful floor coverings of St. Stephen's Hall are also being carved. Plans are to open the building to the public on 20 August 2021.