PestBuda

Sports in 19th century – National Gymnasium turns 150 One hundred and fifty years ago, a gymnasium was built in Budapest, a building that still stands on Szentkirályi Street. However, it is not quite like modern sports halls. From the outside, it looks just another palace. Only a small plaque reminds passers-by that it was once built as the National gymnasium in 1870 following the Austro-Hungarian compromise, during Gyula Andrássy's term as Prime Minister. This is what a gymnasium was like at the time: it looked like a palace and housed not only three halls and dressing rooms, but space for the community to live its life. While the rooms are now used for university education, the sports halls still serve their original function.

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.

Fifty years since the new trains arrived some are still in use on suburban railway lines Over the last few days, a number of articles have surfaced regarding the two companies that remain in competition to provide the new trains for the suburban railway lines. The new vehicles are much needed, as most of the current trains were bought in the 1970s. The oldest of them has been in use on the Csepel line for 55 years.

Fifty years of construction – Saint Stephen's Basilica opened 115 years ago St. Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest. Today, it is one of Budapest's most famous monuments of the capital, thanks to the work of Miklós Ybl. However, it also features prominently in the oeuvre of two other architects: József Hild started its design, while József Kauser finished its construction. Construction lasted an astounding 55 years, and the church was finally consecrated 115 years ago, on 19 November 1905.

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.

From pawn shop to University – Construction of the Central Pawnbroker Offices began 120 years ago A huge building on Lónyay Street has stood empty for fifteen years. It has been unused for so long that most passers-by will not even remember its name. Yet for more than a hundred years, it was the centre of trading in pledged goods. Over the past years, there have been plans to build a hotel in the walls, films have been shot within them, and there were fears that it would be demolished. In the end, this beautiful example of turn-of-the-century architecture is being saved.

A Tu-154 aircraft first visited Budapest 50 years ago The introduction of a new type of aircraft has always been a great sensation in Budapest. It was no different when the most modern passenger aircraft of the time, a product the Soviet aviation industry, the Tu-154, arrived in the city 50 years ago.

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.

The new Chain Bridge opened 105 years ago The Chain Bridge, as seen today, is not the structure that István Széchenyi dreamed of and which was built to the plans of William Tierney Clark. The Chain Bridge we love and use today is 105 years old and was opened on 27 November 1915.

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.

Tradition and Modernity: The sacred art of Béla Lajta In a recent article, PestBuda honoured the memory of Béla Lajta. One of the leading Hungarian architects of the early 20th century, Lajta played a definitive role in the formation of Budapest in the period. Continuing a series in honour of the centenary of his death, join us on a tour of his sacred art in the Jewish cemeteries of Salgótarjáni Street and Kozma Street.

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.

Motorised Tricycles – A new postal service arose 120 ears ago The Hungarian Postal Service played a central role in the motorisation of Hungary. The company first began using foreign vehicles, but 120 years ago, the first Hungarian-made vehicles entered into service. These early attempts were not even cars, but motorised tricycles, powered by Hungarian internal combustion engines.

National Christmas tree erected on Kossuth Square The massive silver pine will decorate the square from the beginning of Advent to Epiphany.

Tens of thousands of fires – A short history of the 150-year-old Budapest Fire Brigade Founded in 1870 through the initiative of Ödön Szécsenyi professional firefighters have been battling flames in Budapest ever since. Over the last 150 years, they have proven themselves not only during fires and catastrophes but through the storms of History during the world wars and the siege of Budapest. Their work is now a fundamental requirement of the city functioning safely.

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.

The only pope to visit Budapest twice: Pope John Paul II Allegations that surfaced recently in the McCarrick report have ignited calls to have Pope John Paul II stripped of his sainthood. The much-revered Pope was the first to visit Budapest, and as a result, has a living memory in Budapest.

Mester Street Clinic receiving five-storey expansion The planning of the expansion of the Mester Street Clinic in the 9th District is underway. The six-storey building is planned to be opened in 2023, leading to the concentration of healthcare services in Ferencváros.

Built in an uninhabited area, houses now surround the 250-year-old Franciscan church Augustinian Friars built the baroque church and monastery in the previously uninhabited area of what is today Buda. In 1785 the complex passed on to the Franciscan Order, who expanded the original building. Residential buildings have since surrounded the Franciscan church. Nevertheless, the walls have survived the vicissitudes of history and continue to offer peace to their community.

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.

Masterpieces with a view – A visit to the Royal Palace of Buda Castle A few secrets from Buda Castle: there is no gas in the building for security reasons; thus, the whole complex is connected to district heating. The current dome reaches higher than the original planned by Alajos Hauszmann. At the turn of the century, the length of the connecting halls facing the river was matched only by Versailles. Pestbuda visited the building before pandemic-related limits on events entered into force, as part of a guided tour offered within the Budai Várséták ('walks in Buda Castle') series of the National Hauszmann Program.

Trees lining Újpest Embankment to be refreshed Starting from Jászai Mari Square and moving north a total of 105 elderly acacia trees will be felled and 161 common maples planted. The maple is indigenous, can cope well with urban environments and grows lush foliage within a few years.

Böske Bridge – The story of Petőfi Pontoon Bridge Following the devastation of World War II a series of temporary bridges were constructed in Budapest to ensure movement around the city. One of these was the Petőfi Pontoon Bridge, which was named after the fact that it connected Petőfi Square in Pest, with Döbrentei Square in Buda, not far from the ruins of Erzsébet Bridge. However, the population quickly became to use the slightly more ingenious name, Böske Bridge, Böske being a common Hungarian nickname for Erzsébet or Elizabeth. The name Petőfi Bridge was later inherited by a completely different structure.

A dream shared by Liszt and Erkel – 145 years of the Academy of Music The Hungarian National Academy of Music opened with much ceremony 145 years ago on 14 November 1875. The institution was temporarily housed on the present-day Március 15. Square, Hal Square at the time. It moved into the four-storey palace on Andrássy Avenue in 1879. Its current main building on Liszt Ferenc Square was opened in 1907. Franz Liszt and Ferenc Erkel are the reason that the highest level of music training began in Hungary.