PHOTOS: A glimpse into the restoration of Hungary’s historic hall at Buda Castle

Amidst the echoes of history and the resilience of heritage, Hungary’s Buda Castle Palace stands poised for a breathtaking transformation. At the heart of this restoration lies the revival of the Buffet Gallery, a once-magnificent banqueting hall. 

The grandeur that rivalled Versailles

Designed by Alajos Hauszmann in the early 20th century, the Buffet Gallery was an integral part of the new north wing of the Royal Palace, Lelépő writes. Its neo-Baroque Art Nouveau exteriors and breathtaking interiors in Buildings A and B rivalled the grandeur of Vienna’s Hofburg. Notably, its enfilade, a series of interconnecting halls, was the second longest in Europe, surpassed only by the Palace of Versailles. Guests were welcomed into the capital’s largest ballroom through a covered courtyard, arriving from St George’s Square. Situated on the Danube side, the Banqueting Hall of the Buffet Gallery boasted a captivating space for social gatherings. Three large doors seamlessly connected it to the ballroom, creating a fluid space for guests. Additionally, glazed pavilions, designed by Gyula Jungfer, adorned the terrace, facilitating the movement of waiters through spiral staircases.

Artistry and craftsmanship

Commissioned by Alajos Hauszmann, the Buffet Gallery’s interior was a testament to the finest craftsmanship of its time. Antal Detoma’s firm crafted stucco marble coverings, Endre Thék contributed semicircular windows and interior doors, while Gyula Jungfer adorned doors and windows. Chandeliers, a product of the Hungarian Metal and Lamp Factory Ltd., hung from the ceiling, adding to the bright appearance. The Buffet Gallery’s west wall featured tapestries depicting the reconquest of Buda, chosen by Hauszmann from the imperial collection in Vienna.

Unveiling Hungarian history

The Buffet Gallery’s panels showcased tempera paintings by Árpád Feszty, illustrating the 16th-century Hungarian poet Albert Gergei’s Historia. Feszty’s work delved into the archaic Asian fairy tale world, presenting the pre-conquest origins of the Hungarians. During the turbulent times of the Second World War, the Buda Castle’s Buffet Gallery faced a devastating fate as it succumbed to bombings. Ironically, in the aftermath, the Communists, instead of preserving its grandeur, stripped the hall of all its ornamentation during the reconstruction.

A renaissance through restoration

Now, under the National Hauszmann Programme, the Buffet Gallery is poised for a renaissance. The restoration process promises to bring back its original beauty, reinstating the lost magnificence of this historic banqueting hall at the Buda Castle Palace. This iconic castle, once voted one of the most beautiful in Europe, stands as a testament to Hungary’s architectural splendour. As the Buffet Gallery emerges from the shadows of history, it marks a triumph of preservation and cultural revival.