Saint Stephen Hall in Buda Castle restored to its original beauty – PHOTO GALLERY

As we wrote before, Alajos Hauszmann was a great architect in his day. He was tasked with the reconstruction of the Buda Castle by Franz Joseph (1867-1916).

The Vienna court originally intended to give the castle cheap furnishing, but when Hauszmann learned of these plans, he contacted the prime minister to help him in getting to meet Franz Joseph.

Photo: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry

One interesting request the emperor had was that the Hungarian carpenters should only make comfortable furniture. He is quoted saying “there is no single couch here, in Schönbrunn, nor in Vienna, on which one can comfortably stretch.” Hauszmann, accompanied by Constable Lajos Ybl (a relative of the old architect working on the remodelling of the castle), visited some of the most beautiful castles abroad to serve as inspiration.

Photo: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry

In the end, Saint Stephen Hall turned out to be very much to Franz Joseph’s liking and

ended up being recognised at the 1900 World Fair in Paris.

Photo: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry

Saint Stephen Hall, which housed some of the best examples of Hungarian craftsmanship, was almost totally annihilated in the Second World War during the siege of Budapest, and what little was left was looted away after combat had ended.

Buda Castle. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/szentistvanterem