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
An enchanted world at your fingertips – A hike to Mária Gorge
December 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM
A small area on the edge of Budapest has almost been forgotten and never was among the city's best-known areas. The Virgin Mary has been considered a patron saint of Hungary since 1038, when King Saint Stephen, who died without an heir, offered the nation into her protection after his son's death. Hungary has often been referred to as Regnum Marianum in Latin sources ever since, and countless toponyms (place names) including Mary, Mária in Hungarian, have formed. However, only two of these are rock formations. One of these stands on Budapest's present-day border (the other in the Békás /Bicăjel/ Strait in Transylvania).
Dining car used by Miklós Horthy to be displayed in Museum of Transport
December 24, 2020 at 9:00 AM
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.
When panel housing defined urban development
December 23, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Forty-five years ago, in the last days of 1975, a new urban planning regulation was adopted in Budapest. The purpose of the provision was to provide an appropriate framework for the construction or housing estates and urban development, while also designating development zones and the number of buildings to be erected.
Exciting artefacts found in cemetery of Roman military encampment
December 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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.
A train to the imperial city – Budapest–Vienna train line opened in 1850
December 20, 2020 at 9:00 AM
1850 was a dark year for Hungary. After the war of independence was lost, so was freedom. Haynau's reign of terror through thousands into prison. But in 1850 a dream came true. A rail connection was completed between Pest and Vienna reached.
Puskás Arena receives international award
December 19, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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.
Budapest Christmases of old
December 19, 2020 at 9:00 AM
What did festive preparations look like in the Belle Époque and the decades following the first world war? Join PestBuda on a glance through Christmases of the past based on old newspaper articles and photos from Budapest's olden days.
Pioneering reinforced concrete – Aladár Münnich born 130 years ago
December 18, 2020 at 2:00 PM
One of the most versatile architects of the interwar years in Hungary Aladrás Münnich designed villas, residential buildings, bank buildings, are large-scale urban planning projects. He was also a popular expert writer. But he is best known for his massive industrial project, both at home and abroad.
Second spire of Nyugati Railway Station hoisted into position
December 18, 2020 at 9:00 AM
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
December 17, 2020 at 4:00 PM
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
December 17, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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.
"Not on the surface, not in a ditch, or in a tunnel" – Residents protest proposed Pest access roads to Galvani Bridge
December 17, 2020 at 10:00 AM
A petition for the protection of Kiserdő, along Határ Road, was recently taken to the Mayor of Budapest by local NGOs. The petition protests the planned access road leading to Galvani Bridge on the Pest bank of the river.
Villa of János Kádár on Rózsadomb to be used by persecuted Christians from the Middle East
December 16, 2020 at 5:00 PM
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
December 16, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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.
First steps to revitalise Népliget made – The largest park in Budapest has been neglected for decades
December 16, 2020 at 11:00 AM
The Budapest City Council is preparing plans for the renovation of the public park known as Népliget and the protection of its natural values. Anyone who visits the park has been invited to share input into the design phase.
National Restoration and Museum Storage Centre opens
December 15, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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.
Synagogue of Óbuda stands as testament to Hungarian Classicism
December 15, 2020 at 9:00 AM
The Óbuda Synagogue is one of the most important historical monuments of the 3rd District and is extremely valuable within Budapest as a whole as well. Nevertheless, it is less well known than its stunning counterparts in Pest, the Dohány Street and Kazinczy Street Synagogues, despite being an immense example of not only synagogue architecture, but also of Hungarian classicist architecture.
Novelties to fill new campus of University of Physical Education
December 14, 2020 at 2:00 PM
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
December 13, 2020 at 3:00 PM
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.
A gem on Andrássy Avenue – The Bulyovszky Villa
December 12, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Elegant and spectacular villa buildings line Andrássy Avenue, one of them is the Bulyovszky Villa. The villa was built as a summer house for the famed actress Bulyovszky née Lilla Szilágyi and designed by the young Sándor Fellner. Standing on the corner of Rippl-Rónai Street, the building recently reemerged into the spotlight. The 55% share of the property'S ownership rights, held by the Hungarian Women's Association was put up for auction. The process was suspended in early December, and the Hungarian Women's Association sold its share. The ill-fated villa has thus entered new ownership. Making this the best moment to dive into its past.
New life for former psychiatric hospital in Lipótmező
December 11, 2020 at 3:00 PM
Plans to create a five-year, international boarding secondary school in the building that once housed the National National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in the 2nd District have been slated. The building will remain state-owned. The building on Hűvösvölgyi út was built as a mental asylum in 1868 and was closed in 2007. It has been empty since.
New Centre of Bulgarian Culture to be built in Budapest
December 10, 2020 at 7:00 PM
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.
The birth of Lottóház – Historic buildings lost to the 1956 revolution
December 10, 2020 at 2:00 PM
A small plaza can be found at the junction of Ferenc Boulevard and Üllői Road. It was named in 1996. It is known as Angyal István Park. There is no inscription to indicate this despite a statue of a paper aeroplane being erected in 2014, and most passers-by do not know that the city honoured one of the heroes of the 1956 revolution, the leader of the Tűzoltó Street insurgents, with the square 24 years ago. And perhaps even fewer know that before 1956 the square did not even exist, but was covered by three residential buildings standing side by side.
Construction of Budapest Athletics Stadium begins
December 10, 2020 at 9:00 AM
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.
New bridge may be built near Aquincum
December 9, 2020 at 10:00 AM
The Budapest Transport Centre has begun preparations for the construction of a new bridge which would connect Aquincum in Óbuda with Újpest.
Masterpiece of 20th-century Hungarian architecture – National Swimming Pool turns 90
December 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM
The first Hungarian Olympic Champion, Alfréd Hajós was also the man to design the National Swimming Pool, the temple of Hungarian water sports. Standing on Margit island the structure is not only central to sporting life in the country but remains a masterpiece of 20th-century Hungarian archictecture.
Nearly 80 explosive devices from World War II found on Csörsz Street in the 12th District
December 7, 2020 at 5:00 PM
The unique projectiles were found during recent earthworks in Csörsz Street in the 12th District in Buda. Explosives experts found almost 80 different devices which are presumed to have originated from a World War II artillery position.
Underground parking garage and new promenade opens on Dózsa György Road
December 7, 2020 at 1:00 PM
The parking garage on Dózsa György Road has been opened to the. public. The new three-storey parking garage can fit 800 vehicles. Named Múzeum Parking Garage the structure also contains bike stands. and a shower. A 12,000 square metre park and promenade have been created on top of the new building.
Phone lines once defined the Budapest real estate market
December 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Life today is unimaginable without a phone, yet not so long ago people could wait decades for a connection to be brought to their flat. Those who had landlines could consider themselves privilege, and those selling flats with one could ask a higher price. Thirty years ago, a new telephone exchange in Csepel with 18,000 lines was a huge step forward. Nevertheless, it seemed that it would only be possible to connect half of the flats in the city with phone lines by 2000.
Construction of metro line 3 completed thirty years ago
December 5, 2020 at 9:00 AM
The construction of metro line 3 was a massive undertaking. After 20 years, it is still not fully completed, while its existing sections have been under constant renovation for years. Its last phase was opened 30 years ago, in December 1990.
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.