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184670_erzsebet_hid_egykor_es_ma_ny.jpg Budapest then and today – 5 photos showing how much the city has changed over a century Comparing past and present is always exciting. Walking around the city, one can often wonder what this or that street used to look like, what houses stood, and which were built later. If someone looks at an archive picture, the old buildings that still stand today, such as the Parliament or the St. Stephen's Basilica, help them find their way. At the same time, they can admire the once small-town atmosphere of Csalogány Street, the almost unrecognisable Deák Square or the old Erzsébet Bridge that many still consider to be one of the most beautiful bridges built in Hungary.
Statue of St. John of Nepomuk renovated in Budafok The baroque statue of St. John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of sailors, made around 1750, has been restored in the 22nd district on Hosszúhegy Square. During the renovation, the head of the 1.7-meter-high figure was replaced with the original one, and a missing wreath of stars was also returned to the saint.
Built as a church of gratitude, demolished by Rákosi – the Regnum Marianum church was consecrated 90 years ago The replica of the Hungarian Holy Crown as a dome ornament was one of the unique features of the Regnum Marianum church, which was consecrated 90 years ago. Twenty years after its consecration on 14 June 1931, the sacral building was condemned to be demolished by the communist dictatorship, and its walls were blown up. There are few Hungarian churches of the 20th century in the Carpathian Basin, whose tragic fate could be associated with as much emotion as the history of the Regnum Marianum in Városliget.
Glass mosaic by Miksa Róth restored above the entrance of the Lutheran church on Fasor Miksa Róth's glass mosaic was placed above the entrance of the Lutheran church in Fasor. The work from 1905 has been returned after more than a year of restoration.
Soviet bomb found near Chain Bridge A one hundred kilogram Soviet air bomb was defused, and part of another 250 kg bomb was identified by military explosives experts in the Danube near Chain Bridge.
Only one-third of the apartments in Budapest had bathrooms in the 1930s In the first half of the 19th century, the facilities of apartments in Budapest did not even come close to what is usual today. According to statistics from 1930, 23 per cent of homes did not have plumbing, only a third had a bathroom, and just over half had a toilet.
CAF tram arrives in Újpalota for weekends Only on weekends and twice every hour, but commuters can now travel on modern CAF trams on the 69 tram line connecting Mexikói Road in Zugló with the Újpalota housing estate. For the time being, the other vehicles on the line will remain. Known as the Hannover tram, its high steps make travel difficult for many.
Lake Náplás lookout tower completed The 27-meter-high lookout tower was built through the cooperation of Pilisi Park Erdő Zrt and the local council. The lookout in the 16th District offers views of Náplás Lake. the Gödöllő Hills and Cinkota Forest.
Ideology fuelled destruction in Buda Castle after World War II The siege of Budapest was one of the most brutal battles of World War II, with the Castle District suffering the greatest damage. Only 1,400 of the approximately 6,500 flats standing in the vicinity of Castle Hill remained intact. And the devastation continued after the war: the communist dictatorship destroyed many buildings for ideological reasons, even though they could have been saved or rebuilt. Many iconic buildings, including several churches and the Castle Garden, fell victim to communist "restoration".
Unknown Roman cemetery found in Nagytétény, near the former Campona fortress The Campona Fortress included a recently excavated Roman cemetery, which archaeologists found in Nagytétény during the preparation of a development project. The staff of the Budapest History Museum identified almost sixty graves; coins, pots, vials, and a ceramic candle were also found.
Széll Kálmán Square became a transport hub 80 years ago There was once a clay mine and then a sports field on the site of today's Széll Kálmán Square, where the tram junction and the pedestrian overpass, which defined the image of "Kalef" for decades, were completed 80 years ago, in June 1941. Then, in the middle of the square, a roundabout was created for trams, from where vehicles could depart in all directions. Modern passenger waiting areas and bus terminals were also built, but the development did not fully win the favour of the contemporary public.
The Fehérvár Roundel is being rebuilt The reconstruction of the Fehérvár Roundel in Buda Castle and the renovation of the surrounding castle walls has started. During the works, the equestrian statue of General Artúr Görgei was transported to be restored. It will be returned to the walls in its former glory.
Renovation of Podmaniczky Street could begin as early as this autumn The section of Podmaniczky Street in Terézváros between Teréz Boulevard and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road will be renovated. An open public procurement tender for construction has just been published. The plans were completed in March. The investment could start in the autumn and end next spring.
Lion, sparrowhawk, crane – Ancient symbols from coats of arms tell the story of the past of noble families in the Magnates' Quarter Although in 1947, the communist regime banned the use of noble forenames and badges, including private coats of arms, fortunately, these were not removed from the former aristocratic palaces. Ancient symbols, often dating back centuries, referred to the owner's family, their role in Hungarian history and also served aesthetic purposes on the buildings. In the second half of the 19th century, the Hungarian aristocracy enjoyed building around the National Museum, so several buildings with family coats of arms and their motifs can be found in the quarter. These can be seen in the palaces of the Festetics and Károlyi families in Pollack Mihály Square.
Transmission towers demolished on Normafa Landscaping of the Normafa green area continues: the two transmission towers next to the Vasas ski house have been demolished. The Hegyvidék Local Council has been negotiating with the tower operators for years.
Changing Chains – 12 elements of Chain Bridge to be modified during reconstruction Chain Bridge has been completely closed, and its renovation has begun in earnest. The 172-year-old bridge has been remodelled several times, first in 1914-1915, then it was rebuilt after World War II, and most recently, it underwent major renovations in the second half of the 1980s. So now the iconic structure of the capital is being renewed again. But what work will be done on the Chain Bridge over the next two years?
Statue of Saint Stephen to be erected in Kispest rather than Saint Stephen's Park The statue of King St. Stephen will not be erected in the park named after him but on Templom Square in Kispest. The mayor decided this on 14 June based on his personal authorization ordered in the epidemic. The authorization was valid until June 15. Earlier, work was suspended in Szent István Park because the work would have taken up a green area even though it would have replaced an earlier sculpture.
Educational trail completed in Szép Valley A new educational trail has been completed in the 2nd District Szép Valley forest. Seedlings have been planted in the previously neglected 16-hectare area, and a special birdhouse and forest playground have also been created.
The bricklayer building the Town Hall of Buda appears on the Holy Trinity Column Most of the encyclopaedias only describe the life of builder János Hölbling from Buda briefly, although, after the siege of 1686, he took an active part in the reconstruction of the city and the construction of the former Buda Town Hall is also connected to his name. He was such a respected professional in his day that his figure even appears on the Holy Trinity Column in Holy Trinity Square (Szentháromság). The builder of Buda died 285 years ago.
Roman life recreated in Óbuda Special reconstruction boards now allow anyone to see what life could have been like at the section of the Limes near Aquincum, now Óbuda. Two signs on the corner of Nagyszombat Street and Szőlő Street showcase the amphitheatre, the third at 7 Kórház Street, shows what the camp gate that once stood there looked like.
Painter of saints and kings – Twelve works by Ignác Roskovics adorned Saint Stephen's Hall Ignác Roskovics was one of the popular painters of the last decades of the 19th century and the turn of the century. Among the ecclesiastical and historical works that define his oeuvre, the twelve paintings made for the St. Stephen's Hall in Buda Castle stand out, based on which ceramic paintings were made in the Zsolnay factory. The works, ten of which depict the most important kings and saints of the House of Árpád, and two depict scenes from the life of St. Stephen, will be on display again from 20 August in the recreated St. Stephen's Hall.
Intact utensils found in a medieval well excavated under the National Guard Headquarters The everyday life of the former inhabitants of Buda Castle can be studied through the objects, especially the ceramic jugs and glasses, which were found during archaeological research in the area of Dísz Square – Szent György Square, on the basement level of the Honvéd ('national guard') Headquarters. Most of the finds were hidden in the depths of an identified well.
An exceptional park in an unsuspecting district Csepel's history is nowhere near perfect. Only three routes connect it with the rest of Budapest today, which is why it is out of sight. In recent years, something seems to have changed, and it is no longer just the panel renovation efforts making their impact: on the banks of the Ráckeve-Danube, versatile and well-designed promenades and parks await residents and visitors alike.
Educational trail unveiled in City Park An interactive study trail has been created in City Park in a previously neglected section, near the recently reopened Mőcsényi Mihály Botanical Garden, where visitors can learn about 335 plants and 123 bird species.
160 years ago, the city of Pest declared war on dirt roads Today, Budapest's road network typically consists of paved roads. Although there are still dirt roads, their number is constantly decreasing. In Budapest, the paving of streets started relatively late, but 160 years ago, the city of Pest adopted a decree on what paved roads should look like.
Renovated Rumbach Sebestyén Street Synagogue opened The renovated Rumbach Sebestyén Street Synagogue was opened as a renewed sacred, communal and cultural space. The synagogue, built in 1872 according to the plans of Otto Wagner, stood empty for decades, and its reconstruction was completed last year.
Guardians of Buda Castle – traditions of the Hungarian Royal Guards come to life in the café of the Guard House After almost fifty years, the Guard House (Főőrség) once again stands in full beauty on the western side of the Hunyadi courtyard. The recently opened café revives the traditions of the Hungarian Royal Guards. The exhibition on the first floor presents the history of the military unit of Hungary with the help of original uniforms, weapons, and copies of contemporary documents. The café's menu evokes the heyday of the Budapest café culture. Its interior refers to the colours of the guard's uniforms, which was one of the top Hungarian national uniforms. Pestbuda asked managing director István Bottyán about the past and present of the renewed Guard House.
One hundred and fifty years ago, the law on the construction of the Outer Ring Road was given royal consent A flood drain, a navigable waterway serving industrial sites, or a more elegant route? In the 19th century, several plans were made for the location of the Outer Ring Road. The issue was closed by law 150 years ago.
Chain Bridge to be closed on 16 June – Renovation to begin in earnest Preparation for the renovation of Chain Bridge has reached its final stage. The 30-metre-high crane capable of lifting loads up to 30 tonnes already been assembled next to the Pest bridgehead. On 16 June the bridge will be completely closed. The bridge first opened in 1849 will be reopened to motorists next year and to pedestrians in 2023.
Nyugati Railway Station closed for a month The renovation of the Western Railway Station, which started last year, has entered a new phase. After 95% of the passenger and track hall reconstruction has been completed, the whole building is now being closed for maintenance work on 19 June and will only reopen on 18 July. One of the busiest railway stations in the capital that handles 18 million passengers a year, was last renovated between 1978 and 1988.

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