Budapest’s world-famous pastry shop Ruszwurm may close its doors forever

Ruszwurm is one of Budapest’s oldest confectionery shops. One of the most iconic places in the Castle District, it is a favourite of locals and tourists alike. Now the future of this famous building is threatened in the midst of an alleged corruption case.

The owners of the Ruszwurm and Korona confectionery shops have been ordered to vacate their premises and hand over the former to the bailiffs on 9 May and the latter on 14 May, index.hu reports.

The municipality had previously planned to shut the buildings down on 4 December of last year, but the confectioneries survived for a few more months. Now, the latest news is that the two pastry shops could close for good in the upcoming days.

Ruszwurm is one of Budapest’s most iconic pastry shops – now, its long history may come to an end

The Ruszwurm confectionery is housed under 7 Szentháromság Street in the Buda Castle District, in the heart of the Hungarian capital. It was first opened in 1827 under the stewardship of Ferenc Schwabl and has survived several turbulent periods in the history of the country. The building stood strong not only during the 1848-49 War of Independence but also in the face of two World Wars and the considerable destruction they caused.

In 1990, Ruszwurm fell into foreign hands, but after some years, it came to be rented, and then eventually purchased by the Szamos family, namesake of the famous Szamos Marzipan.

Today, Ruszwurm takes you back in time: homely yet sophisticated, history comes alive among the furnishings that had been declared protected due to their cultural significance to the country. The cherry-wood bar, the gold table decorations on display, and the statues all evoke the charm of centuries past.

In the 1800s, the confectionery was a favourite haunt of noblemen, ministry officials, teachers, military officers, and engineers. At present, tourists and Budapest locals alike enjoy the traditional flavours of Ruszwurm treats.