PestBuda

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 new bridge in the heart of the 11th District A rail bridge has crossed above the intersection of Tétényi Road – Bartók Béla Road and Karolina Road in the 11th District for 71 years. In connection to the development of the Southern Ring Railway, a longer and wider railway overpass is being built. The goal is to convert the newly gained space underneath into an urban plaza, with trees and greens, and ample room for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport passengers to move through freely.

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.

Vizafogó Nursery wins Budapest Architecture Award 2020 The reconstruction and expansion of the Vizafogó Nursery has won this year's Budapest Építészeti Nívódíj or the Budapest Architecture Award. The third phase of the MOME Campus and Creative Innovation Knowledge Park, the National Museum Restoration and Storage Centre, and the Ligeti Studio villa, alongside the Havana Market, received honourable mentions.

Built on a freight station: the Millennium City Centre Budapest is a city of constant change. This is especially true for parts of the city that were once industrial centres or served these industries. The decaying remains of 100–150-year-old factories are often called rust belts. While the future of many of these areas remains uncertain, some examples have been completely transformed and given an entirely new lease on life. Over the past 25 years, the Millennium City Centre has sprouted where the Danube-Bank Freight Station once stood and has become such an area.

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.

When Five Year Plans decided the future of Budapest Under Socialist rule, the state governed economy operated according to what were called five-year plans. These determined the type and volume of goods and raw materials to be produced in the next five year period. However, these should not be equated with a well thought out business plan, as they were not based on realistic demand and business opportunities.

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 most Hungarian Habsburg rests in Buda Castle – A visit to the Palatine Crypt A lesser-known segment of the vast Royal Palace of Buda Castle has housed the final resting place of the Palatine-branch of the House of Habsburg since the Hungarian National Awakening and the Reform Period. The crypt of the Habsburg palatines has remained almost unchanged since the 19h century. Few know that a Habsburg was buried in the crypt in the 2010s. Pestbuda visited the stunning site as part of a tour organised by the National Hauszmann Program before the restrictions announced on 10 November, limiting events entered into force. Join us on a visit to the crypt of the Royal Palace of Buda Castle.

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.

Stunning house with famous underground safe renovated in Buda Castle The house under 72 Úri Street and its underground tunnels once housed Hungary's gold reserves during the second world war and 600–700 people alongside them. In the 1950s the location was used to control the electrical grid. The house has newly been restored to its original late-baroque design as the educational centre of the Hungarian National Bank.

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.

The charitable doctor – 150th anniversary of László Batthyány-Strattmann's birth The Batthyány family has given Hungary many excellent soldiers, politicians and scientists. Among them, Dr László Batthyány-Strattmann stands out with his dedication and love for humanity. As an ophthalmologist, he spent all his wealth, time and energy treating the poor. Pope John Paul II beatified the prince in 2003.

Fifty years in the works: Airport express road to become dual-carriageway Although not many people are travelling by plane during the pandemic, everyone agrees that better transport is needed between Liszt Ferenc International Airport and the Budapest city centre. A new rail connection to the airport is in the works, and now a design tender for expanding the expressway to the airport to two lanes in each direction has been announced. But how has Budapest grown out of the road that served the airport for decades?

Stunning buildings stand deserted around Budapest The Hungarian capital is filled with beautiful buildings. Houses, public institutions, museums, hospitals, the list goes on. Nevertheless, several impressive buildings that once fulfilled important tasks stand empty in modern Budapest, waiting for a new tenant to return them to their former glory. This list collects five abandoned buildings found in Budapest.

Once known as Stalin Bridge, Árpád Bridge turns 70 Its construction was abandoned during the Second World War. It bore Stalin's name for six years and was the longest bridge in the country for years. Árpád Bridge is now seventy years old.

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.

Ten stunning domes lost from the Budapest cityscape Following a recent decision reached by the government, the domes and roof ornaments of buildings may be reconstructed around the country. The first three will be completed within a pilot project in Budapest. This list from Pestbuda collects ten buildings that were once famous for their roofs and which we believe should be among the first to be replaced.

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.

Sixty years of articulated buses in Budapest There were not enough buses in the Budapest of the 1950s, and those that were in use were too small. Decision-makers expected a quick solution from Ikarus but the Hungarian bus manufacturer only promised to offer a large articulated bus in the middle of the 1960s. The Budapest bus workshop was unwilling to wait. They built over 300 articulated buses themselves.

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.

The decorators of the palace built for the Ministry of Finance Passers-by are often in awe of the stunning decorations and ornaments that characterise the era of historicism. The palace of the Ministry of Finance on Szentháromság Square is another building on which several masters worked, take a look at their work.

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.

45 years under ground – A museum on Deák Square about the Millennium underground Railway A museum housed in an abandoned underground tunnel, filled with original rolling-stock, and a slew of objects from the history of one the world's oldest underground railways. All of this for the price of a single ticket in the middle of the city, under Deák Square. The Millennium Underground Museum opened 45 years ago.

A forgotten house – The origins of Eötvös József College A small street near Kálvin Square bears the name of Pál Gönczy, a writer on educational subjects and teacher at the Reformed Secondary School of Pest. In 1895 a small teacher training institute named after Gönczi's former ministerial superior, Count József Eötvös was opened here. At the time it was known as Csillag Street. Loránd Eötvös founded the College, and its first headteacher was Géza Bartoniek. They are the protagonists of the first 15 years of institution's history, but the small building where early students worked with their professors until 1911, was forgotten.

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences turns 195 The imposing main building of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences stands on Széchenyi Square. The institution was founded after almost 100 years of proposals, planning and negotiations. Eventually, a 34-year-old Hussar Captain donated the money needed to create it, 195 years ago.

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.