News

Márai statue unveiled in Újpest The new bronze bust of the writer Sándor Márai was erected in the suburbs of Újpest on Szent László Square.

New interactive map lists nearly 1000 street names connected to Trianon A new interactive map highlights public spaces in Budapest that bare names that refer to territories, settlements, fortifications, ethnographic areas and peoples annexed by surrounding countries as a result of the dictated Treaty of Trianon that ended World War I for Hungary.

A bird's eye view of the Royal Palace of Buda Castle A unique drone shot of the reconstructed building of Buda Castle has been released. After a close view of the newly restored Mátyás Fountain, turning to the Main Guardhouse and its charismatic café, to fly over and into the newly completed Riding hall. After a close examination of the building's details, the shots swoops past the Csikós Statue.

Extra work slows renovation of Western Railway Station The renovation of the 143-year-old Nyugati Pályaudvar's, the Western Railway Station's, roof is underway. However, due to newly discovered faults revealed by the work in progress, further repairs will have to be carried out on the historical monument. These unforeseen additional tasks will delay completion of the restoration until the end of summer 2021.

Hungarian coat of arms on Ybl retaining wall restored The Ybl Retaining Wall below the Csikós Courtyard in Buda Castle is currently being renovated. The Hungarian national coat of arms decorated with the Holy Crown of Hungary is now visible on a renewed section of the wall.

Over 500 artefacts and mementos from Metro M3 transferred to Museum of Transport A total of 510 artefacts, items and mementoes of the M3 metro line have been transferred to the collection of the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transport, including well-remembered wall-coverings, information boards and yellow benches. The letter-mosaic found in the station on Deák Square will remain in its original location.

The English edition of PestBuda magazine now live The PestBuda urban history magazine is launching an English edition to provide meaningful information and quality articles to internationals living, working or studying in Hungary, and the descendants of Hungarians around the world who no longer speak Hungarian, about the rich urban heritage, culture and often surprising history of Budapest.

The home of national diets, Királydomb, to be named national memorial site The government has submitted its proposal to name Királydomb (lit., 'hill of the king') in Rákosmező a national memorial site. Found in present-day Kőbánya along the Rákos Stream, the field once hosted national diets and the elections of Kings. The area is under threat of being built up.

Ice skating rink to be built on Kapisztrán Square A new ice skating rink is to be built in Buda, within the castle walls in front of the local mayor's office. Parking on the square will be suspended.

Renovation work on central section of M3 begins The renovation of the M3 metro line will continue from 7 November. Trains will not serve Stations between Lehel Square and Nagyvárad Square. Changes to urban traffic and public transport are planned to be in place for one and a half years.

First section of Pest's intertwining tram network completed The first section of the Pest tram network development has been completed in Ferencváros. The development will support diversion efforts during the renovation of Metro line M3, as the 2M tram will provide a direct connection between Nagyvárad Square and the city centre.

Original ornaments returned to Bull Statue in Újbuda The statue entitled Monda ('myth') in Bikás ('bull') Park has been restored. The original ornaments symbolising the Sun, Moon and Starts above the heads of the bulls have been replaced.

New tourism and marketing organization of Budapest created Budapest Brand, the capital's new tourism and marketing organisation, is now responsible for managing Budapest's marketing strategy, creating cultural content, organising festivals and fairs. The organisation's goal is to convey the image of a livable and lovable city.

Next section of Andrássy Avenue to be renovated – 4,500 new plants planned Gardening works started yesterday along Andrássy Avenue. A total of 4,500 perennial plants and 16 new trees will be planted between Oktogon and Vörösmarty Street.

Excavation of the Great Synagogue in Buda Castle to begin Preparations for the excavation of the Great Synagogue of Buda Castle are underway near 21–23 Táncsics Street. A synagogue was among Europe's largest Jewish halls of worship and was built during the reign of King Matthias and stood until 1686. Beyond preservation, the excavation hopes to ensure visitation to the runes.

A new Margit Boulevard in the works – Cultural district planned in 2nd District The 2nd District local council is looking to redefine Margit Boulevard as a cultural centre to repopularise the one lively area of the city. Architects and local businesses are involved in the planning process.

Public survey being conducted regarding souther railway development Two new tracks will be built alongside the existing two lines between Népliget and Kelenföld. The development of the southern ring railway would allow trains to run three times more frequently and provide a great connection to three metro lines (M3, M4, and M5 which will be created by connecting suburban railway lines). Residents of the area are requested to respond to the survey and can find more information on a new website dedicated to the project.

Statue of George Bush unveiled on Szabadság Square Statue of George H. W. Bush., 41st President of the United States of America, has been unveiled on Szabadság Square. The bronze full-length work was erected alongside a statue of Ronald Reagan.

Tram line along the Danube – Tracks on Pest embankment opened 120 years ago The section of the tram tracks between the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Erzsébet Bridge was opened on 20 October 1900, 120 years ago.

Szent Angéla School on Rózsadomb to be expanded Szent Angéla School in the 2nd District is being renovated and expanded. A new community room, a science wing, and a new library are being created.

First renovated spire of Western Railway Station completed Renovation of the 8,200 square metre roof of Nyugati Pályaudvar, the Western Railway Station has reached a spectacular stage. The first of the spires for the towers on the rear facade has been raised into place. Meanwhile, the new glass panels of the roof are being installed, and the roof structures of the towers on the main facade toward Teréz Boulevard are being removed.

Bust of Ilona Tóth unveiled in courtyard of Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital Ilona Tóth was a final year medical student who was an extern during the 1956 revolution became a symbolic figure of the communist regime's retaliation for the revolution. A new bust commemorating her has been unveiled in the courtyard of the Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Clinic and Hospital in Kőbánya.

Renovated Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Ferencváros opened The renovated Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius on Vágóhír Road in the 9th District has been inaugurated. During the ceremony a memorial to the Metropolitan Boris of Nevkropov who was martyred in Communist Bulgaria. The high priest of Bulgaria visited Budapest in 1931 and participated in laying the foundation stone of the church.

Fontana house to be torn down – New construction project begins in city centre Fontana House on the corner of Véáci Street and Régi Posta Street, built in 1984 is to be torn down to make way for a new modern building with commercial areas on its ground floor and housing above.

Southern section of M3 to open on Thursday – Full-line service for two weeks Trains will run the entire length of the M3 metro line for two weeks until 6 November. On 7 November renovation of the central section between Nagyvárad tér and Lehel tér stations will begin.

The future of Római Part – Suggestions welcome! The Budapest City Council is accepting opinions and ideas regarding the future of Római-part. Hospitality providers and sports clubs in the area are also being involved in the planning process.

After 77 years a new Secondary School of the Reformed Church is opened in Budapest The new building complex of the Rózsakerti Demjén István Reformed Primary and Secondary School in the 22nd District was inaugurated through a thanksgiving service, with Viktor Orbán, prime minister, attending. A belfry was also built alongside the school. The bell is decorated with a map of historical Hungary to symbolise the unity of the Hungarian people. The event is made al the more significant by the fact that the last new Reformed Secondary School built in the capital was opened in 1943, 77 years ago on Lónyay Street in the 9th District.

An old wooden cross made anew on 13th-district Diana Street The wooden cross at the intersection of Diana and Gyöngyvirág Streets in the 13th District has been renovated. The crucifix that originally stood here was demolished in the 1950s but rebuilt in 2008.

New information boards to help visitors at the most crowded points of Buda Castle A total of ten new information boards have been set up in Buda Castle at locations such as the renovated Matthias Fountain, the Savoyai Terrace, the Raven Gate, and Szent György ('Saint Geroge') Square and the Maria lift.