The Bridge Report, which brought a turning point in the history of Budapest
A travel report that changed the history of Pest and Buda, as well as Hungary. The little book contributed to the change of half a thousand years of legal customs and the implementation of an investment of unprecedented size and technical quality. This book was The Bridge Report [Hídjelentés in Hungarian].
PestBuda
Buda Castle and drinking water: Water pumps designed by Adam Clark completed 165 years ago
January 12, 2021 at 12:00 PM
A settlement needs water. And Buda Castle had various water supplies even in the middle ages. The city was supplied with water from the springs of Svábhegy and the Danube. Until the middle of the 19th century, pumps powered by animals pushed the water to the top of the hill. The first engine-powered pumping station in Buda was established 165 years ago, opening in 1856. Its designer was Adam Clark, the engineer that led the construction of Chain Bridge.
Plans to develop surroundings of Keleti Railway Station
January 11, 2021 at 8:00 PM
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
January 11, 2021 at 2:00 PM
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.
Downloadable album released about 90-year-old freeport in Csepel
January 11, 2021 at 1:11 PM
The 260-page publication showcases the 90-years history of the Csepel Freeport. Beyond photographs, the album contains unique historical documents.
Two tram stops renovated in Óbuda
January 10, 2021 at 6:00 PM
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
January 10, 2021 at 4:00 PM
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.
The eight-month miracle – Kossuth Bridge completed from scraps 75 years ago
January 10, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Previous articles on PestBuda have detailed how the retreating German forces destroyed all Danube bridges in Budapest. After the war, a series of temporary structures were erected to connect the battle-torn city’s two halves. However, it was obvious that a somewhat permanent structure would be needed. The result was Kossuth Bridge.
Renovated Nursery opens in Terézváros
January 9, 2021 at 6:00 PM
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.
Sixty-five years ago an earthquake shook Budapest
January 9, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Recent earthquakes in Croatia have caused more than 100 million HUF damage in Hungary, while some tremors have even been felt in Budapest. Earthquakes are not extremely common in the Carpathian Basin but do occur sporadically. One of the largest recorded tremors in Hungary, which also led to the loss of life, happened on the outskirts of Budapest 65 years ago, in January 1956.
Cars to be barred from City Park – Heroes Square to become pedestrian zone
January 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Officials announced that plans to create a car-free City Park are being prepared. A new overpass will be built above the Rákosrendező railway station to connect Zugló and Angyalföld. A new P+R car park, with 1500 spaces, is to be built at the terminus of the Millennium Underground at Mexikói Road.
Bulgarian community in Budapest renounces right to use property on Bajza Street in return for state funding
January 8, 2021 at 5:00 PM
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.
Shop assistants with subscriptions to hairdressers – The Kálvin Square department store
January 8, 2021 at 3:00 PM
The department store is one of Kálvin Square's defining buildings and stands on a plot that once housed a school operated by the Reformed Church. In the interwar years, the city knew the shop as the Fenyvess Department Store. And while it only bore the name for 25 years, many remember the name to this day.
Further sections of ancient settlements found along Rákos Stream
January 8, 2021 at 9:00 AM
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
January 7, 2021 at 2:00 PM
One of Budapest's oldest and most beautiful butcher shops at 29 Mester Street closed its doors on 31 December.
A funeral gave life to the bridge that created Budapest
January 7, 2021 at 9:00 AM
Two hundred years ago, a younger Hungarian hussar officer made a rather reckless statement to a friend. His words had many consequences and changed the lives of many forever. The officer, in fact, was only in a hurry to reach his father's funeral.
Former tram terminus in Zugliget to be renovated
January 6, 2021 at 3:00 PM
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
January 5, 2021 at 6:00 PM
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.
A dream of the Reform Period – A tunnel to run through Castle Hill
January 5, 2021 at 3:00 PM
Even when building Chainbridge the builders knew, the Buda bridgehead is in the wrong place, a point which is difficult to reach with a cart or carriage. A solution was needed, but Castle Hill stood in the way. Eventually, a company was founded to break through the hill 175 years ago.
Ruins opened on Szent György Square in Buda Castle
January 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM
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
January 4, 2021 at 2:00 PM
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.
Leopold Rottenbiller – Three-term Lord Mayor of Pest
January 3, 2021 at 3:00 PM
Leopold Rottenbiller is one of the most unjustly forgotten politicians of Budapest's history, even though a major road bears the name of the urban leader to this day. He served as the Lord Mayor of Pest for three terms, and not in periods of growth, construction and peace. Despite this, Rottenbiller kept the city working. His second term began 160 years ago.
Hidden natural treasures of Budapest – The Jane Goodall Trail
January 3, 2021 at 9:00 AM
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?
A lookout in the works – Medieval István Tower the inspiration behind tower of the National Archives
January 2, 2021 at 12:00 PM
The National Hauszmann Program recently announced that the destroyed tower of the National Archives' building in Buda Castle would be rebuilt during the building's renovation. Join Pestbuda on a stroll through the history of this iconic tower.
Offices of National Assembly to be renovated
December 31, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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
December 31, 2020 at 10:00 AM
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.
A green promenade instead of tracks – Improved suburban rail for Budapest
December 30, 2020 at 2:00 PM
The suburban railway (HÉV) lines to Csepel, Ráckeve and Szentendre, are to be completely renovated. Trains will be faster, tracks and stations rebuilt, and new, accessible, air-conditioned trains will be purchased. In the first phase of the development, the HÉVs will enter a tunnel at Közvágóhíd ('public slaughterhouse') station and run to Kalvin Square with a stop at Boráros Square. The tracks will disappear from the riverbank allowing for the creation of a cohesive new park promenade.
Fifty years ago large-scale plans to redesign Józsefváros were born
December 30, 2020 at 9:00 AM
Various plans to redesign the inner sections of Józsefváros and replace the out-dated kitchen and room flats built at the end of the 19th century were floated decades ago. Fifty years ago the Budapest Council adopted a large-scale plan to demolish 3,400 flats. By the time the district already had mixed experiences of how the city centre could be rehabilitated.
Botanical path named after István Fekete opens on Kis-Hárs Hill
December 29, 2020 at 2:00 PM
The popular Hungarian writer, the best-known author of forester-ranger-themed literature, István Fekete, was born 120 years ago and died 50 years ago. A nearly 800-metre-long István Fekete botanical educational trail has been built to commemorate this double anniversary, stretching from Széher Road in the 2nd District to the Hárs Hill saddle.
Statue of Attila József unveiled on Kossuth Square 40 years ago
December 29, 2020 at 9:00 AM
A few years ago, the temporary removal of the Attila József statue – erected in 1980 on the site of the former Andrássy monument – from Kossuth Square due to the area's renovation caused an enormous uproar. Many believed that the work had been removed permanently. But a few months later, the statue was on Kossuth Square again. Although it was not put back in its original place, many say it found a better place only a few metres away, on the riverbank.
Statue of Alfred Hajós planned for Margit Island
December 28, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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.
More articles
The Bridge Report, which brought a turning point in the history of Budapest
A travel report that changed the history of Pest and Buda, as well as Hungary. The little book contributed to the change of half a thousand years of legal customs and the implementation of an investment of unprecedented size and technical quality. This book was The Bridge Report [Hídjelentés in Hungarian].
Drama on the university wall - The heroic monument was planned 95 years ago
In the constant hustle and bustle of the Egyetem Square in Pest, the students may not even notice the monument that decorates the short section of wall between the church and the central building of ELTE. However, it commemorates their predecessors, the heroes who fought for their country in World War I, and those who heroically helped them. The first design of the dramatically collapsing soldier was born in 1928, ninety-five years ago.
A message from the former school: An exhibition in memory of János Neumann was opened at the Fasori Secondary School
An exhibition was opened in János Neumann's former school, the Fasori Lutheran Secondary School, on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the world-famous mathematician's birth. In the exhibition presenting the former Neumann milieu, paintings, graphics, photos, furniture, and objects tell the story of the art-supporting spirit of the noble bourgeois family at the turn of the century.