The US architecture firm of Diller Scofidio + Renfro has won an international tender to design the new Hungarian Museum of Transport in Budapest.
The new museum will be constructed on the site of an old railway maintenance depot in District X.
Photo: www.facebook.com/Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Diller Scofidio + Renfro said its architectural plan for the museum would juxtapose the industrial heritage of the site with modern exhibition spaces.
During an earlier visit to the brownfield site, Diller Scofidio + Renfro partner Benjamin Gilmartin called the depot a “thrilling, exciting building”, one that is “heroic and dramatic”.
Construction work on the brand-new Danube Bridge started in 2017 in Komárom (Komárom-Esztergom county). The structure of the bridge has already reached the Slovakian border which means that the longest and most difficult part of the bridge is ready.
The main reason for building the Danube Bridge is that it would make traffic easier, especially for trucks, because no other truck road between Hungary and Slovakia is provided near the bridge’s location – reports Portfolio. Moreover, the road to the bridge would not go through the town of Komárom, decreasing the already shocking amount of noise and air pollution. The longest part of the bridge on the Slovakian side is completed, and the parts of the structure got in their final position.
[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/air-pollution-cause-of-premature-mortality-for-thousands-of-hungarians/” type=”big” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] Air pollution the cause of premature mortality for thousands of Hungarians [/button]
Photo: www.facebook.com/nifzrt
The length of the bridge is 600 metres.
The bridge will connect Hungarian main road 1 with Slovakian main road 63. The bridge has one pylon with sidelong cables – one pylon is approximately 95 metres high. It has five vents, three above the Danube and two on the Slovakian side.
Photo: www.facebook.com/nifzrt
The bridge will also feature sidewalks and bicycle zones.
The first part of the construction, which is 278 metres out of the final 600 metres, was installed on February the 14th. The 120-metre-high pylon is not ready yet at 42 metres.
The construction of the bridge continues on the Hungarian side soon.
The new short film introduces Pest County’s lesser-known built and natural attractions like the Mill of Ráckeve, the triumphal arch in Vác and the remains of the church of Zsámbék.
Sokszínűvidék reported that nineteen-minute-long short film was made by the Ministry of Agriculture which shows the beauties of the county from bird view with the most modern drones. András Ambrus, member of Pest County’s press stated that:
“Pest County has more than two hundred touristic attractions and beauties from natural to built, related to culture, sports, tourism, lifestyle, health, and agriculture. The local government started to raise the reputation of these sights with an exhibition along with an organised competition for students, created the ‘Treasure of the Year Award’ and published an album with songs by the Hungarian folk music collector and musician Zoltán Kodály. We also organised trips to Csepel-Island and Cegléd and made a gastronomical book about the county’s specialities.”
The short film is going to be displayed to the public on February 21 at the Travel Exhibition at the Hungexpo.
[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/wow-free-sightseeing-tours-and-exhibition-in-budapest-available-this-week/” type=”big” color=”green” newwindow=”yes”] Travel Exhibition 2019 / International Day of Tourist Guides[/button]
The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) recently promised and ensured that the Hungarian capital city’s main railway stations (Keleti and Nyugati Railway Station) are getting new improvements in the future.
Looks like their promise is close to becoming a reality – reports Szeretlek Magyarország. MÁV’s plans include making more than fifty stations more modern, and friendly and making their services more efficient.
They also reported that the demolition of the old and dirty pavilions, kiosks and restaurants also starts soon.
Keleti Railway Station (Photo: www.facebook.com/mavcsoport)
The renovation of Nyugati Railway Station’s underpass started in December 2018 and has not been finished yet. The next step of their project will be completed at Keleti Railway Station where they are going to remove twelve kiosks and pavilions from the inside of the building.
These pavilions and kiosks ruin the sight of the historical railway station and their services are often not appropriate and hygienic.
MÁV stated that there will be kiosks and pavilions at the railway stations where passengers will be able to buy food, drink, newspapers, etc. built by the national railway company. Furthermore, they are planning to build a passengers’ centre inside the station and to renovate the waiting-rooms.
Nyugati Railway Station (Photo: www.facebook.com/mavcsoport)
The company will also renovate more than fifty stations across the country, for example, the station of Alsógöd, Felsőgöd (Pest County), Nagymaros-Visegrád (Pest County), Rákospalota-Újpest (Budapest) and Dunakeszi-Gyártelep (Pest County).
The main purposes are making these stations’ image more acceptable, and friendly for passengers, renovating the buildings nearby (not necessarily used by MÁV) and demolishing the buildings which are dangerous and not used anymore. The improvements of important traffic junctions are also inevitable.
The historical Lotz Hall’s café has been abandoned for two years on Andrássy Street, Budapest. When the department store’s renovation was completed in 2009, the café already existed and cooperated with the Alexandra Bookstore, and served guests with amazing coffees and other delicacies. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt two years ago. But now everything has changed, and the café reopened.
Index reported that the Paris Department House not only gives place to the unique and spectacular Avatar exhibition but its historical café at Lotz Hall has been reopened and awaits every guest who decides to enter the department house.
The new café got the name Café Parisi and guests can drink and eat delicacies under the 19th century’s greatest paintings and murals by legendary painters and artists. The Paris Department Store was built between 1909 and 1911, but this hall which is decorated by Károly Lotz’s murals is older! It is the remain of an old casino from 1884.
The hall got its name from Lotz Károly who was one of the 19th century’s most prominent and famous painters. His other works can be found at the Opera House, St. Stephans Basilica, Parliament and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Lotz’s magnificent and rare mural was inspired by the mural at Sixtus Chapel, in the Vatican. The mural is placed into a painted, Pompeii-styled frame. When the casino was seriously damaged architectures still found it too beautiful to demolish, and they came up with the solution of building the casino into the new Paris Department Store. Luckily, it was untouched by World War II and the Soviet regime.
The new Café Parisi serves its delicacies with the finest Zsolnay ceramics. The tables are covered with marble and the guests sit on the finest Thonet-chairs. It is more spacious as the big old pieces of furniture have been removed.
Featured image and photos: www.facebook.com/cafeparisi
The pre-qualification phase of the design competition for the new Hungarian Museum of Transport has ended. Besides the previously invited eleven architects, four more applicants were given the opportunity to participate in the contest. The design competition for this large-scale cultural development in the area of the Northern Maintenance Depot in Budapest has attracted a great deal of interest worldwide, with 90 valid applications.
„The Hungarian Museum of Transport has launched an international competition on 9 August 2018 for the design of the new home of the institution. The museum will be rebuilt on a 7-hectare area of the Northern Maintenance Depot in Budapest. The development is among the most ambitious brownfield revitalization programmes in Europe, offering challenges in the field of architecture, urban development, heritage conservation and landscaping. The contest created a considerable interest in Hungary and worldwide. The participation of world-famous international and renowned Hungarian professionals guarantees that the jury will be able to select the winning designer out of the best talents” – Dávid Vitézy, General Director.
Prior to the announcement of the competition, the museum directly invited eleven architectural firms to participate, based on their reputation in museum design, heritage redevelopment and urban planning. During pre-qualification, each of the invitees has verified that it meets the professional requirements. The remaining positions were open for architects from all over the world.
Of the 90 valid applications received, the museum selected four candidates – based on the rankings detailed in Contest Documentation – who can join the eleven directly invited participants to the design phase.
A jury of Hungarian and international experts, chaired by Dávid Vitézy, General Director of the Hungarian Museum of Transport and Dr Ferenc Makovényi PhD, delegate of the Hungarian Chamber of Architects, will choose the winner of the competition in the first quarter of 2019.
The participants of the competition are:
3H Építésziroda
Amanda Levete Architects Ltd.
Atelier Brückner GmbH
Bjarke Ingels Group
Caruso St John Architects
CÉH Zrt. / Foster & Partners
David Chipperfield Architects
Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Eisenman Architects / Beyer Blinder Belle
Építész Stúdió Kft.
gmp International GmbH
KÖZTI Zrt.
Lacaton & Vassal Architectes
Reichen et Robert & Associés / Ralph Appelbaum Associates / PLANT Atelier Kis Péter
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects / Perkins+Will / BuroHappold Engineering / JAC Studios
Members of the jury are:
Dr László Baán, General Director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, Prof. Enric Batlle PhD architect, landscape architect (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Batlle I Roig), Nóra Demeter DLA architect, Kristin Feireiss, architecture and design curator, writer, Zsolt Füleky, Deputy State Secretary for Architecture, Dr Balázs Fürjes, State Secretary for Budapest, Prof. Pedro Gadanho architect, curator, Director of MAAT Museum for Art, Architecture and Technology in Lisbon, Dr István György, government commissioner of the Government Office for Budapest, Judit Z. Halmágyi DLA architect, Pieter Jonckers, Director of Train World Brussels, Dr Erzsébet Szentpéteri Kócziánné, former Director of the Hungarian Museum of Transport, Miklós Mártonffy, Head of the Urban Planning Department of the Municipality of Budapest, Dr Sándor Pap, Deputy Mayor of Kőbánya, Marcela Steinbachová PhD architect (Skupina), Tamás Wachsler leader of the Steindl Imre Program and Nóra Winkler art journalist.
Pyramids are truly spectacular and miraculous buildings that can be observed best in Egypt. But if you would like to see these wonders you do not necessarily have to get on a plane and travel to another continent. All you need to do is get in your car and drive to Iszkaszentgyörgy (Fejér County) where Hungary’s only stone pyramid is located.
Sokszínűvidék collected all the important details and historical facts you need to know about this rare Hungarian sight.
On the outskirts of the Hungarian town called Iskaszentgyörgy, in a quiet and peaceful environment, we have to take a short walk up on the Piramita-mountain where we can find Count Siegfried Pappenheim’s (Austrian nobleman) 10 meters high pyramid.
Photo: www.facebook.com/Velencei.hegyseg.tura
According to the legend, the pyramid commemorates one of the count’s closest friends who fell in love with a maid. Their love affair was disapproved by the family and because of that the man took his life with his own hands. The pyramid was built on the location where he committed suicide.
The original pyramid stood there until 1960 but, because of its poor condition, it had to be renovated. From 2014 the replica of the original pyramid can be seen. Not only the pyramid but the view from the top of the mountain is also breathtaking.
If you are taking a walk in Iszkaszentgyörgy to observe the pyramid, do not miss the unique Amade-Bajzáth-Pappenheim Castle nearby. Built in 1735, this is Fejér County’s most extraordinary building which was the favourite place of the Pappenheim family for years. The family owned the castle until World War II when it was rebuilt into a hospital. It also served as a hotel and holiday home during the past years.
The renovation of the castle started in 1985. Currently the Finnish knight Ari Santeri Kuspus rents the castle but some parts of it is used by the local school.
Without a doubt, music is a cultural field which is the most successful one in Hungary and which gave exemplary musicians and singers to the whole world. But unfortunately, Hungary does not have a complex institution where people could learn about the history of Hungarian music and to get closer to our music culture.
Luckily, part of the Liget Budapest Project is the building of a brand-new institution which brings people together with music. Liget Budapest described every amazing detail about the future House of Hungarian Music.
We might ask ourselves the question: why does Hungary need another concert hall if we already have the Opera, Erkel Theatre and the Palace of Arts? András Batta, who is a Hungarian music historian, emphasised that this new building is not going to be another concert hall. It is going to be an institution which convinces people to go to concert halls and listen to classical and other music concerts in Hungary.
Before establishing the plans of House of Hungarian Music, musical experts examined another concert hall to get inspiration and ideas, like the concert hall in Vienna, Paris, and Barcelona, which are not only concert halls but museums as well.
Photo: www.facebook.com/magyarzenehaza
The House of Hungarian Music will not be a museum. This institution’s main task will be to provide comprehensive information about music, musical genres, instruments and musicians while coping with the hardships and modernisation of the 21st century. It is also important that this house will not only be opened for people who have musical experiences but for everyone in the country and in the world.
Another aim of this project is to provide new information for visitors in a playful way and not in a way as the ordinary museums do. This institution will combine music and experience, providing a fun way to learn about music.
The House of Hungarian Music – besides learning about music – will provide lots of colourful programmes for adults, children, school groups and elderly people. The project would like to establish a connection between every generation and music because they believe that the contemporary music halls and museums are unable to do that. That is why this new house is going to be built in the heart of the Budapest City Park.
Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, who established and created the plans for the House of Hungarian Music, believes that harmony plays an important part in building. Fujimoto created a building which is close to nature and creates a bridge between artificial and non-artificial environments.
The exhibition in the House of Hungarian Music will provide an insight into the history of music through the past centuries until nowadays in an exciting and fascinating way.
Photo: www.facebook.com/magyarzenehaza
Besides the history of Hungarian music and musicians like Zoltán Kodály or Béla Bartók, visitors will also get an insight into the history of music in Venice, Paris, Berlin and London and internationally famous composers like Mozart and Beethoven. There will also be different kinds of games, workshops, screenings and other programmes. The options are truly endless.
Apart from classical music, the institution will focus on popular music as well and show people how the birth of the radio and popular music played a part in history through the life of true music icons like Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
Among the exhibitions and programmes, the institution will also welcome famous musicians and singers who will give concerts for visitors arriving in the City Park’s new establishment.
Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo expressed his enthusiasm and good wishes in a video:
The construction of Budapest’s third bridge over the Danube started in 1894 and finished in 1896. The bridge, originally named after Franz Joseph, is the third most iconic bridge in the Hungarian capital city. In World War II, it suffered serious damages and had to be rebuilt in 1945. Since then, it is one of Budapest’s favourite bridge. But did you know that it is not the only Hungarian Liberty Bridge in the world?
Pest Buda reported that news spread across the world that China’s biggest telecom company, Huawei, is building a new research centre in the city of Tongukan. The new research centre is going to consist of twelve parts which represent old European cities like Prague, Bologna and Oxford.
Huawei built a replica of Budapest’s old Liberty Bridge, and it is so on-point that even trams are taking workers from one part of the centre to the other.
Photo: www.facebook.com/orientme.hungary
Let us see some other amazing replicas of Liberty Bridge:
József Ferencz Bridge in Szolnok (Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County)
This bridge was opened to the public in 1911 and was designed by Hungarian architect Győző Mihailich. The bridge is a perfect replica of the one in Budapest, but if you examine the picture carefully, you will see that the bridge’s diagonal holders do not look in the same direction, and, of course, this bridge was smaller than the original. Unfortunately, it did not survive World War II and was exploded in 1944. The bridge suffered damages which could not be repaired and was not worth the effort.
Photo: www.kepeslaptar.vfmk.hu
Eiserner Steg Bridge
If you are walking in Frankfurt Am Main, you probably recognise the German version of Budapest’s Liberty Bridge which was built years after the Hungarian one, between 1911 and 1912. The bridge has many connections with our Liberty Bridge.
The Hungarian bridge’s first original plans were announced in 1893 by Hungarian architect János Feketeházy who got the idea of the Hungarian bridge’s pylons from the Eiserner Steg’s ancestor which was built in 1869. Although this German bridge has a different construction than the Hungarian, the idea of its pylons was born from this late German bridge and was redesigned for today’s shape by Virgil Nagy.
Later, the original Eiserner Steg from 1869 was dismantled, and German architects built the lookalike of the Hungarian Liberty Bridge, but it is said that it was probably not the Hungarian bridge which served as an example for German architects but rather its construction because later, many German bridges had the same structure as Liberty Bridge in Budapest.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons by Melkom
Starovolzhsky Bridge in Tver
You will also feel a sense of déja-vu if you are taking a walk in the town of Tver in Russia. This bridge was built in 1900 over the River Volga. This structure also has a difference in the bridge’s holders and pylons and is less elegant than the Hungarian one, so it is rather a German lookalike.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons by Florstein
Yangmingtan Bridge
And, finally, we must mention that the first replica of Liberty Bridge was not built in Huawei’s new research centre first but over the River Songhua in China, as a cable bridge.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons by Trochowski163
Why is Liberty Bridge’s structure so popular across the world?
The structure of the bridge is called a console structure. Back at the end of the 19th century, the Firth of Forth Bridge in Scotland was built with this console structure, scoring many world records. This world record gave architects the courage to build not just bridges but buildings with console structure, and it immediately became popular all over the world.
Of course, this does not mean that the Hungarian capital city’s Liberty Bridge is just a bridge out of many with the same structure. In 1908, German professor Merthens introduced the bridge as the most beautiful one ever built. Although this architectural style was popular in every corner of the world, its most beautiful and perfect example is the Hungarian bridge in Budapest.
Liberty Bridge is said to be the most beautiful bridge in the world and an architectural masterpiece. It is also a popular pedestrian zone in the summer.
The Great Boulevard is one of the most important routes in downtown Budapest, passing through the inner districts, the Northern border of Újlipótváros and the Northern border of Lipótváros, Terézváros, Erzsébetváros, Józsefváros and Ferencváros. Today, tram lines 4 and 6 run in the middle road, which is Europe’s busiest tram line with 200,000 passengers a day.
The boulevard is 4.1 kilometres long, and its average width is 45 metres. The first stages of construction were in 1872-1883, and the finishing leg was in 1897–1906. In between the two construction periods, hundreds of houses were built and opened for the public. Join us an see the best and most interesting ones.
Houses
Szent István körút 14. – Víg theatre
Comedy Theatre of Budapest (Hungarian: Vígszínház)
Vígszínház is one of the most popular and most spectacular theatres in Budapest. The Vígszínház building was built in 1896, in just one year, according to the plans of the Vienna Fellner and Helmer offices. Behind the building, there was a swampy area at the time. A dazzling turn-of-the-century Budapest and new centres of citizenship, Lipótváros and Újlipótváros, were built around the corner. The building is characteristic of late historicism. The architect couple Fellner and Helmer also introduced a structural solution inside the theatre building that distinguishes their buildings from previous theatres and was suitable for meeting the social representational needs of the late 19th century.
Architect: Ferdinand Feller and Hermann Helmer
Year of construction: 1896
Szent István körüt 17. Photo by Vanda Szemán
Szent István körüt 17
Several noble contractors participated in the construction of the former Lipot Boulevard 17 building.
The house was completely ahead of its time, equipped with a person and a lorry, gas and electric lighting, gas stoves, as well as handy and comfortable equipment. The maid’s quarter and the laundry room were located on the fourth floor or above because climbing the stairs was the ‘privilege’ of the maids. The average size of the apartments ranged from 100 to 150 square metres. Civic flats could be up to 250 square metres. Often, several generations lived in one house.
The apartments on the first floor were considered the best and most valuable ones. Often, the balcony belonged to these apartments alone. Most of the houses had a porter’s apartment, who watched any inbound people. In some houses, already after 10 o’clock, the house had to be silent. Lifts often operated with keys and only carried passengers up. There were also elevators that worked with change or coins.
Architect: Gyula Orchy
Year of construction: 1901
Teréz körút 55-57 – Nyugati railway station
Nyugati Train Station is one of Budapest’s oldest railway stations. The first railway station in the vicinity of the present building was called Pest House Indo.
Photo: Alpár Kató – Daily News Hungary
Over the course of time, the initial station was increasingly unable to serve the ever-increasing commodity and passenger traffic of the growing railway network.
The design of the new railway station was made by the architect August W. De Serres of Austria and the company of Gustave Eiffel, who became world-renowned for the Eiffel Tower. The hall of the railway station is a combination of curved iron beams and glass. For nearly ten years, the architect worked on creating the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Architect: A.W. de Serres and Gustave Eiffel
Year of construction: 1875-77
Erzsébet krt 24.
Erzsébet krt 24. – Budapest, Photo by Ádám Horváth
In the yard of the house, these special ‘glass mushrooms’ can be found. Sebestyén Hirsch has several major Grand Boulevard construction projects. The phone set up by
Tivadar Puskás was in the building for a frightening short nerve. The purpose of the phone newsletter was to be the fastest news service imaginable. Its inventor, Tivadar Puskás, wanted the news to be read into a single microphone and to be heard at several different points in the city at the same time. The news series provided by a dedicated editorial service was read in a telegram style and repeated for an hour. In addition to political, local, public and stock market news, accurate Central European time was also periodically announced.
Among the inhabitants of the house was Ödön Vojter, the chief engineer who participated in the construction of the underground railway in Budapest.
Architect: Meixner Károly
Year of construction: 1886-1887
The fresco in Budapest,Teréz körút 28
Teréz körút 28
This house does not show the treasure in it from the outside. In the staircase, there is a fresco depicting beautiful angels on the ceiling, which is only seen by those who look up.
Budapest, Teréz körút 28, Photo by Vanda Szemán
The house was built by Antal Lővei, a beekeeper.
On the ground floor was the Ullmann Nurses’ Fashion Room. According to the then-famous Sunday newspaper, French dresses and English costumes were tailor-made.
Budapest is often praised for its architectural diversity – you can find a representative of almost all building styles ranging from Gothic all the way to contemporary minimalism. Although the best known of all is the Art-Nouveau, the Gothic Revival should be given attention as well, after all, the Parliament is a typical Neo-Gothic building.
The most important Hungarian figure of the Neo-Gothic movement was Imre Steindl, who aside from the Parliament, designed and renovated houses in this style too.
The Hungarian Parliament
The Parliament is hands down the most beautiful and the most iconic building of Budapest, but it is also the best-known example of the Hungarian Gothic Revival, with hints of Eclecticism. Steindl’s stylistic genius lies in the layout, and the mass composition is Baroque, but the details are all corresponding with the Gothic Revival. It is said that there are several reasons why Steindl chose the Neo-Gothic style: one being that the monumental design resembles the glory of medieval Hungary, the second that the Palace of Westminster belongs to the Gothic Revival too, and thirdly, Steindl believed that it would be better to depart from Classicist Vienna.
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on UnsplashPhoto by Guavin Pictures, Hungarian Parliament, Main Staircase
Matthias Church
Although the Matthias Church itself was not built in Frigyes Schulek’s time, his renovation design is what makes such an impact on the beholder. The rebuilding took place between 1874-1896, during which the church’s façade and interior were reimagined in the ways of the Gothic Revival.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / D4m1enphoto: https://www.instagram.com/boglr_/photo: Thaler Tamás – WikiCommons
Saint Elizabeth’s Parish
The 7th district largest church was also built based on Steindl’s designs between 1895-1901. Thanks to its grand size, 2600 people can admire its lavishly decorated interior, with Neo-Gothic ornamental painting done by Adolf Götz. Up to this day, its interior decoration is considered to be one of the most beautifully executed designs in the world. We can notice the handiwork of another remarkable Hungarian designer and artist, Miksa Róth: the painted windows of the sanctuary are his work. Steindl opted for the French Gothic when planning the exterior, but implemented modern technical structures. Sadly, the glass windows were destroyed during World War II and are still not fully replaced.
The story of the previous hall of the Ministry of Finance, located at Szentháromság square, neighbouring the Matthias Church is an adventurous one. The original hall was built in 1901-1904, following the plans of Sándor Fellner, but was torn down after WWII. Fortunately, the original design plans were followed, but on a smaller scale, as the former hall proved to be inflated and too ornate, especially in the vicinity of the Buda Castle and Matthias Church.
In 1934, photo: Fortepan – Friss IldikóIn 2016, photo: Thaler Tamás – WikiCommons
Paris Court
Although the late shopping hall is built predominantly in Art Nouveau, it still bears important features of the Gothic Revival, mingling with the designer, Henrik Schmahl’s favourite Oriental notes. Also, the façade of the Paris Court is made up of Zsolnay ceramics.
Mansions first appeared in Hungary during the second half of the 19th century, stemming from the upper-middle class’ recently popped up need of being close to the city centre, which in fact can be traced back to the bourgeoisie’s growing social aspirations. The private villas constructed at this time are miniature palaces transformed into an urban space, each retaining the general elegance of the aristocratic traditions it’s rooted in, while bravely diving into the refreshing waters of new styles. Here come some of the most beautiful mansions in Budapest, from both sides of the river.
The collection is brought to you by Funzine 🙂
Kőrössy Villa
Strolling along the tree-lined Városligeti fasor, it’s hard to imagine that once it was the busiest street in Pest: as the natural continuation of Király utca, for many years it was the most straightforward escape route of downtown inhabitants to the green and spacious City Park. Then one day in 1876 broad Andrássy út was opened, and with that, the wealthy citizens of Budapest swarmed the suddenly silenced street, each moving in to brand new villas, designed by the best architects of the era.
One of these architects eventually decided to move into the neighbourhood, and built the most stunning villa of the whole street.
Intended by architect Albert Kőrössy to be used as his home office, the three-storey family mansion was constructed in 1900, inspired by the styles of French art nouveau and German jugendstil. The facade of the creamy-dreamy villa is richly decorated by peacocks, vines, sunflowers, and the allegorical figures of Sculpting, Painting, and Architecture.
Photo: www.korossyszalon.hu
The leaded glass windows were manufactured by Miksa Róth, as was the ornate, stained glass window of the lobby. Badly damaged during the WWII bombings of Budapest, the imposing villa spent the subsequent seven decades in a simplified state. After a Hungarian real estate development company bought the building in 1996, it was finally restored to its original pomp in 2015, to give home to a salon and a café.
1071 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 47.
Sipeki-Balás Villa
Hidden behind the branches of hundred-year old trees at the north-eastern edge of City Park, Sipeki Villa is one of the later masterpieces of Ödön Lechner, the Hungarian architect who pioneered the style of Hungarian art nouveau. The pastel pink villa was built in 1907 for Béla Sipeki-Balás, the bailiff of Zala county: its towering chimney, gracefully rounded winter garden, and ornate facade make this oft-overlooked, gingerbread building one of the most stunning examples of Lechner’s genius.
Photo: www.facebook.com/MiénkaHáz
When Sipeki-Balás died in 1944, he had no heirs to bequeath his villa to, so he left it in his will that the villa be given to the Hungarian Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted, who have made it their headquarters. Although today the exterior of the building is in a rather sorrowful state, the beauty found within its walls (including a staircase decorated by colourful Zsolnay ceramics) will make up for the gaps present in the villa’s pink plaster.
1146 Budapest, Hermina út 47.
The Writer’s Villa
Nestled high above the city on elite Széchenyi Hill, the Writer’s Villa is a four-storey mansion built in 1881 for Baron József Szterényi, the Austro-Hungarian minister of commerce at the time. Refurbished as an exclusive lodging for the BrodyLand hospitality venue franchise a couple of years back, the 500 m2 villa is a standout for a number of things, including a large ornate garden fountain made with Zsolnay tiles, a lush garden, and a gorgeous dining room (added in 1913 as a winter garden), which features a number of elaborately designed stained glass windows made by Miksa Róth.
Photo: www.facebook.com/TheWriter’sVilla
No wonder that in 2016 it was selected by the Evening Standard as one of the best new hotels to stay in.
1121 Budapest, Művész út 2.
Judges and Prosecutors Villa District
Built between 1910 and 1912, the Judges and Prosecutors Villa District is Budapest’s first deliberately planned villa district, composed of almost forty estates and an apartment house-slash-dormitory (destroyed during WWII) designed by Aladár Árkay, an important figure in the history of Hungarian art nouveau. The similar in style, but distinctly unique buildings showcase elements of Jugendstil, the Transylvania-inspired architecture of Károly Kós, and the prairie houses of Frank Lloyd Wright. Situated only a couple of minutes’ walk from Déli railway station, the majority of the villas are one-storey high, with each floor giving space to three rooms – a notable exception is found under 40 Ráth György utca.
The Hungarian capital has a lot to offer, including the marvellous views and the amazing architecture. There was one man who especially contributed a lot to the current outlook of Budapest. His name is Ödön Lechner, also referred to as the ‘Hungarian Gaudi’. After taking a look at the following buildings he designed, you will understand why.
Ödön Lechner, a talented Hungarian architect, shaped the future landscape of Budapest by his bold designs – reports CNN. In his lifetime, Hungary was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Towards the end of the 19th century, however, a new art movement surfaced to rebel against the traditional styles that the Austrians loved. This gave way to Lechner’s bold, playful ideas involving intricate ceramic details and daring colours, all used to express his national identity.
Geological Institute
The building was designed in 1896 and still houses the Geological Institute of Hungary. Visitors of the museum can learn about Hungary’s geology and see collections of minerals and prehistoric footprints. However, just going to see the building itself is totally worth it as well. Its iconic blue-tiled rooftop is adorned with intricate forms, ceramic fossils as well as little figures of Atlas holding up the globe.
Photo: facebook.com/patriotaeuropa
Thanks to the Zsolnay Porcelain Factory that produced pyrogranite, a material that is outstandingly good in bearing outside weather conditions, Lechner was able to use it for the roof tiles and decorative architectural ceramics that are part of this building, too. In fact, this material actually became crucial for the fate of the art nouveau style in Hungary.
Hungarian State Treasury
Photo: facebook.com/patriotaeuropa
Taking a closer look at the buildings designed by Lechner, it becomes clear that he was searching for a Hungarian identity that he could express visually. The building of the Hungarian State Treasury is a spectacular example of this. Besides the beautiful rooftop design that also showcases motifs inspired by local folk art, the front of the building is also adorned with flowers that are typically part of Hungarian embroidery.
Drechsler Palace
Lechner’s first building in Budapest was completed in 1886. Unlike his later work of colourful rooftops and intricate motifs, this building evokes the French Renaissance with its neutral grey colours and the many arches and turrets. According to CNN,
“Drechsler Palace established Lechner’s worth as an architect, but a decade later he would shun this conservative style for something bolder.”
Interestingly, despite the name, this building had never been a palace. It used to be an apartment block, commissioned by the Hungarian Railways, as an investment for the workers’ pension institute. Over time, it also housed the Drechsler Café and was home to the Ballet Institute. Sadly, it has stood empty for about two decades now, but the exterior is still beautiful. Also, it seems like there is a potential resurrection around the corner, and the building might have a bright future as a luxury hotel that is part of the Marriott Hotel Group.
Museum of Applied Arts
Photo: facebook.com/patriotaeuropa
Last but not least, the building of the Museum of Applied Arts has definitely become one of the iconic buildings of Budapest. Even though it is under renovation right now, you can probably catch a glimpse of the unique rooftop, “Lechner’s architectural manifesto”.
In the 19th century, it was a popular theory to place Hungarians’ ancestry in the East, going as far as India or Persia. The décor of the museum’s building, with its Indo-Saracenic influences and bold ceramic flowers, reflects such beliefs. However, this Oriental influence invoked some criticism by contemporaries, calling it gaudy. Lechner later toned down the appearance of Eastern motivation in his designs, though his colour choices still remained bold and exotic.
If there is one thing (one building) Hungarians are proud of it is the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, where the National Assembly of Hungary seats. The architectural masterpiece indeed deserves the attention of 600,000 tourists each year, but let’s see the most interesting facts and beauties about it.
When people hear the word ‘Parliament’, they might instantly think on serious political problems or important issues. For a moment, let’s not focus on what is going inside of the Hungarian Parliament Building on a daily basis, let’s visit it with a tourist’s eyes, no matter you have already visited or have never visited. Not a long time ago, CNN also had a trip around the beautiful Hungarian Parliament, made a short video and article about it. Because of the building’s attractive looks, unique symbols and many untold stories, the Hungarian Parliament Building is definately something to worth learning about.
The location
The Hungarian Parliament Building is the third biggest on Earth, only Buenos Aires’s and London’s parliaments are bigger by size. The 96-meter-high, 700-room, symmetrical building lies alongside the Danube river on the embankment of Pest side, Kossuth Lajos Square. The view is just beautiful, seeing the Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle on the opposite side of Danube and the stunning Kossuth square on the backside.
The designer and architect, Imre Steindl created the building’s plans, mixing the features of neogothical and baroque architecture. Unfortunately though, he has never seen the building ready, because of his unfortunate death just five weeks before the very last pieces of work. Constructions were held from 1885 to 1904, but reconstructions were made later on as well.
Over 100,000 people worked on the Hungarian Parliament, on which forty million bricks, and 40 kgs (88 lb) of pure gold were used. In length it is 268 m (879 ft) long and 123 m (404 ft) wide. Interestingly, the whole building was built of Hungarian raw material only, this was a serious criterion in the first year of construction, 1885. Except one piece only: 6-meter-high marble monoliths next to the main staircase.
Photo by Guavin Pictures, Hungarian Parliament, Main Staircase
Magical numbers of the Parliament
When it comes to the staircase, it has 96 stepping stones. Why is it even interesting? 96 is a returning number inside of Parliament Building that is not a coincidence. Parliament’s dome is 96 meters high, explanation is: the Parliament Building was designed to be completed in the year 1896, which was the Millenium of Hungarians conquesting the Carpathian Basin. Another magic number of the Parliament is 365 – the same like number of days in a year – there are this many of towers on the building, some smaller, some bigger.
Photo: blikk.huprotected
The building
The Hungarian Parliament Building was also victim of World War II and Hungarian Revolution in 1956, and a whole piece on the building’s wall has remained bullet holes, which were not renewed, on purpose, to the memory of the events.
Inside, there are 200 office rooms, chambers, library, canteen, and a post office. Those who work here also can be served by a doctor and hairdressers. Also it has 27 gates, 29 staircases, 13 lifts. There are visible attractions inside for tourists, like the Holy Crown, with Royal Scepter and the Coun try’s Apple, these are those which are by national guards 24/7.
If you are interested in prices for visit, see this previous article of ours: Parliament statistics
And click on these links to see our ’10 interesting videos about Parliament Building’ links Part 1. Part 2.
WING sold the former Angel Office (Angyal Irodaház) to B&B Hotels, and they will turn it into an economy hotel for the French company.
B&B became interested in the former office due to its view to the River Danube, Turizmus Online claims. The city centre, the business quarter, the proximity of the gastronomical avenue of Budapest, Ráday Street, the accessibility of the location with public transport and the closeness of motorway M1, M5 and M7 all provide ideal circumstances.
“B&B Hotels is delighted to announce our entrance to the Hungarian market. The recently signed sales contract is the first step to the opening of our new 214 room hotel in 2020.”
Fabrice Collet, director of B&B Hotels, said. B&B aims to provide innovative service for both business and recreational purposes by combining design, attractive prices and high quality.
“This project is part of our European expansion strategy, which is clearly showing our developmental intentions in Hungary and other countries of the region as well”
Photo: facebook.com/wingzrt
he added. This will be the second big touristic investment of WING recently: ibis Stlyes Budapest Airport Hotel, Hungary’s first hotel directly connected to an airport opened at the beginning of 2018.
B&B Hotels, founded in 1990, is Europe’s third biggest economy hotel chain, which operates 470 hotels there. They have seven units in Central and Eastern Europe: six in Poland and one in the Czech Republic. They are planning to open plenty of new hotels in the region: in Slovakia, Croatia and Bulgaria as well.
Szeged is a gem in the south-eastern part of Hungary. It is sometimes called the city of sunshine as it is the place where the sun shines the most hours. However, thanks to the many wonderful sights you can see here, it is the perfect destination in the winter, too.
With the help of the list published on Bien, you will know what to do when visiting this beautiful town in Hungary.
City Hall
Photo: facebook.com/szegedtourism
This beautiful building was built in a Neo-Baroque style. The fateful flood in the 19th century caused serious damages to the building, so its current form can be seen since 1883. It is directly connected to the Appartement House (also called the Iron House by locals) through a foyer dubbed the ‘bridge of sighs’.
Széchenyi Square
Photo: szegedtourism.hu
As the biggest square of Szeged, Széchenyi Square is beautiful and ever-improving. There are many magnificent and fascinating statues throughout the park, including one of Pál Vásárhelyi, who played a crucial part in regulating the River Tisza.
Móra Ferenc Museum
Photo: facebook.com/moramuzeum
Located on the shore of the River Tisza, Móra Ferenc Museum is clearly for the people, as it says on the façade: for public education. Another trademark of the building is the two ramps on the side of the stairs leading to the entrance. They have a unique backstory: during his visit, Emperor Franz Joseph wanted to see if his newly-acquired automobile could make it right to the entrance. Unfortunately, it was too steep for the car, but it is a cool remnant of history, right?
Bridge of Sighs
Photo: facebook.com/szegedtourism
This unique feature in the city is also connected to Franz Joseph. During his visit, he never wanted to be too far from his accompaniment or his guards who were put up in the Appartement House. So, this bridge was built in record time to grant his wish and connect the building to the City Hall.
Szeged slippers
Photo: facebook.com/hungarikum
Szeged slippers are an integral part of the traditional local folk attire. Besides being worn during folk dance performances, though, you can also see them when visiting the Dome. On the mosaics of the temple’s ceiling, Saint Mary is featured wearing Szeged slippers as well as the famous Szeged coat (szegedi szűr).
Szeged Dome
The Dome of Szeged Photo: wikimedia commons
As one of the symbols of Szeged, the Dome probably needs no introduction. Did you know, though, that it is also called the Votive Church? The story behind this name is connected the 1879 flood that destroyed most of the buildings in the city. The people in charge of governing the city made a vow to build a big, unique church in the place of the old one.
Dome Square
Photo: szegedtourism.hu
This square is the location of the famous open-air festival in the city. The special music clock made by a local clockmaker is also located here. By taking a walk under the famous, red-brick arcades, we can see the statues and reliefs featuring the famous men and women of Szeged.
The city centre
Photo: Facebook.com/I ♥ Szeged
Considering the flood took most of the buildings, the city centre of Szeged is rather small. However, it has a unique atmosphere thanks to the many pedestrian streets, statues and, of course, the numerous cafés and confectioneries where you can recharge with a cup of coffee and a delicious slice of cake.
Reök Palace
Photo: wikipedia.org
This beautiful art nouveau-style building was completed at the beginning of the 20th century. Ede Magyar made the plans for it. It reflects the fashions of the time and is still a little gem of Szeged.
Kárász Street
Photo: facebook.com – Gábor Baross
As one of the biggest pedestrian streets of the city, Kárász Street has a joyous ambience. Also, it is connected to Széchenyi Square. The street music, the fascinating statues, the palm trees and the numerous cafés and bars will definitely cheer you up.
Klauzál Square
Photo: facebook.com/szegedtourism/
Located on Kárász Street, this square is definitely recommended to those with a sweet tooth, since the terrace of the city’s famous confectioneries can be found here. The building from where Lajos Kossuth gave his last speech is also located here.
Whether you choose to visit all of these places or discover the city on your own, Szeged is an excellent destination from a touristic, cultural or entertainment point of view as well. Having a good time is guaranteed 😉
Hungary reopened its embassy in Ecuador in 2015 and Lilla Kántor, who is a Hungarian architect from the city of Veszprém (Veszprém County), applied for a position on the embassy and got the chance to visit Ecuador along with his husband, Áron, who is also a Hungarian architect.
Sokszínű Vidék reported their incredible story about how they helped the South-American country’s people. Not so long after they moved to the country a terribly strong earthquake happened on the shores of Ecuador on the 16th April 2016.
Fortunately, Lilla and Áron did not get hurt because the place they stayed at (Quito) was far away from the beach. On the other hand, many towns and villages were destroyed on the shore and many families lost their homes.
In the next few months, Lilla and Áron spent a lot of time on figuring out how to help those people who did not have a place to sleep. After a while, they got a huge offer out of nowhere: an enormous amount of bamboo…
The married couple did not hesitate and decided to build chapels from bamboo. They knew that chapels are important for people because Ecuador is almost 100% a Catholic country and the chapel is where people can meet with each other along with power and faith.
Photo: www.facebook.com/ARCOLF
They were not alone because their Italian and Ecuador friends joined them to build these chapels together. First, the set up a scale-model and in November of 2016, they travelled to Jama (a city in Ecuador) to present it to the local priest, sisters and community.
The communities in Ecuador were enthusiastic about the plan and in January of 2017 constructions began with the help of local architects and residents.
“This trip to Ecuador and setting up these bamboo chapels and our plan gave us a life-long experience and friendship.” – said Lilla Kántor who since then returned to Hungary with her husband.
The hospital centre at Nagyvárad Square will be able to serve a quarter of the capital and will be directly connected to a metro station.
The winners of the Healthy Budapest Program’s design contest will build three hospital centres, two of which appeared in the Procurement Report in December, states Tervlap. The projects of the National Healthcare Services Centre will include the Hospital Centre of South Buda, built by M-Teampannon LLC and András Pál Rutkai, while the earlier-united Saint Stephen and Saint Ladislaus Hospital will be expanded significantly and turned into South Pest Hospital Centre in accordance with the plans of ZDA-Zoboki Architectural Office LLC. The latter will be able to serve the southeast quarter of the capital: designers revealed their in-depth plans in connection with the institution fulfilling an emergency centre role as well. According to these,
the existing building complex will be fully renovated and modernised, and with its one-stop entrance, it will be capable of more direct treatment.
The 190 thousand m2 hospital centre costs HUF 188 billion. Patients will be directed to the particular ward one wants to visit from the metro station of metro line M3 through the alley of Nagyvárad Square, with the aforementioned one-stop method.
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
Photo: zda.hu
They want the treatment of patients to be as fast as possible, taking into consideration the architectural nature of the hospital as well.
The concept focuses on medical technology, so the buildings will be constructed to fulfil these needs.
The 150-year-old building is too old to fulfil the requirements of certain medical technologies. They will keep the pavilion of the entrance while the two main units of the institution will be the campus garden and the main building.
The centre will be built as a green area: it will include the main building, an operational and diagnostical block and six other annexes. All parts of the centre will be easily accessible through the wide corridors, while other wards will be placed in the six annexes. The main building will have a rooftop garden as well. The hospital, which will be accessible through Üllői Road as well, will receive a parking lot with 1200 spots.
Hungarian architects designed some impressive buildings last year. Have you seen the new Ethnographic Museum or the new building of Budapest Zoo? Make sure to take a look them up 🙂
