News

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.

Renovation of Blaha Lujza Square to begin next year: water games and mushroom-shaped fountain planned A mushroom-shaped fountain with three nozzles, 84 burgundy-red chairs, an exposed concrete retaining wall hundreds of metres long, and water games sunk into the pavement will decorate the renovated Blaha Lujza Square, according to the tender announced by BKK. Prospective contractors can submit their offers for the rebuilding of Budapest's busiest squares 15 February 2021. The works will have to be quick, as according to an agreement between the capital and the government state support for the reconstruction of the square can only be accessed until the end of next year.

Iconic tower of National Archives in Buda Castle to be rebuilt The tower of the Hungarian National Archives, designed by Samu Pecz and completed in 1918, is to be rebuilt in Buda Castle. The tower was blown up in 1945 to avoid necessary post-war repairs. Furthermore, a new wing will be added to the building, which was not built a hundred years ago due to a lack of funding.

Dining car used by Miklós Horthy to be displayed in Museum of Transport The dining car of the train used by Governor Miklós Horthy, Turán 9, has been returned to Hungary. The dilapidated vehicle will be restored by Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transportation staff.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Millennium House receives prestigious architecture award Millennium House has received prestigious recognition at the Hungarian Real Estate Development Awards. The renovated cultural institution – one of the oldest buildings in City Park was named best development in the culture category of the awards.

Commemorative medal issued in honor of the 125-year-old Hungarian Olympic Committee The Hungarian National Bank has issued a silver commemorative coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 and a non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 2,000 on the 125th birthday of the Hungarian Olympic Committee.

Homeless shelter in City Hall still a possibility? The Budapest Government Office is to restart the procedures pertaining to the homeless shelter. The decision opens up the possibility for a temporary crisis shelter to be created in City Hall.

Botanical Garden in City Park opens Renovated botanical garden, a new dog park, and the two-kilometre-long, illuminated running track have been opened in City Park. With this, more than 150,000 square metres of green space has been revitalized during the development of the park.

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.

Archaeologists uncover Sarmatian ruins in Zugló A Sarmatian settlement from the 2nd–3rd centuries is being excavated near Rákos Stream in the 14th District. Dugout homes, water pits, roman ceramic, glass and metal artefacts have been found.

A greener Buda – trees and other plants planted in Buda About 250 trees have been planted in the 2nd District through November.

Illuminated Christmas-tram service begins The old-timer tram decorated in festive lights will run on several lines this year and can be used until 6th January.

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.

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.

New Görgey Park completed in Csepel The newly opened Görgey Park in Csepel was renovated based on observations collected from the public. A fountain, running track and other sports equipment can be found on the green, where 40 new saplings have also been planted.

Kalevala statue unveiled in Buda The park bordered by Attila Road, Krisztina Boulevard and Szarvas Square was renamed Kalevala Park last year. A monument to the Finnish epic was unveiled recently.