According to the most recent “census” of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, it is home to 881 animal species and 10,528 individual animals. With this, the zoo in the heart of Budapest’s City Park is not only the most populated zoo in Hungary, but the diversity of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is also outstanding on an international level.
According to Infostart and the zoo’s detailed summary, the institution houses: 1,368 individual mammals of 133 species, there are 1,262 individual birds of 151 species, 950 individual reptiles of 130 species, 131 individual amphibians of just 30 species, and there are 6,070 individual fish of 218 species.
There are 213 different species of invertebrates, of which 98 species have individual records that constitute 666 individual animals. As for the other 115 invertebrate species, which are mainly insects kept in large numbers, there is no point in having an individual record, so these animals are included in the collection of animals only by species.
The Pet Zoo on Margaret Island is also part of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, so the number of animals kept there is also counted towards its full animal collection. Although there are 25 species of animals at the Pet Zoo on Margaret Island and a total of 127 individual animals, 19 species of these can also be found in the main site of the zoo in the heart of the City Park.
Not only is it one of the oldest zoos in the world, but compared to other zoos, the collection of species in the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is outstanding: of all the zoos in Hungary, this zoo has the most species, and only a few institutions in Europe house more animal species. The park also houses Hungary’s first shark school.
Green crested Basilisk at Budapest Zoo
Photo: Péter Licskay
Rhinoceros iguana at Budapest Zoo
Photo: Péter Licskay
Williams’ dwarf gecko at Budapest Zoo
Photo: Péter Licskay
Royal plecostomus at Budapest Zoo
Photo: Péter Licskay
Freshwater Angelfish at Budapest Zoo
Photo: Péter Licskay
Budapest Zoo
Photo: Péter Licskay
Budapest Zoo
Photo: Péter Licskay
In Hungary, some species can only be seen in the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden. These, for example, include the Giant otter, the Common wombat, and the Short-beaked echidna.
Not only is the number of species presented outstanding, but the diversity of animals is also high, as the animal species in the zoo represent many different groups of animals. Representing and portraying the biodiversity and the general dissemination of knowledge is important for strengthening the environmentally conscious approach, the statement reads.
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They also point out that the specialists at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden also deal with many rare and endangered species for which, in addition to showing them to the world, breeding for conservation purposes is also of great importance. They write that
the zoo has managed significant breeding results in 2020 for Giant anteaters, Sumatran orangutans, Dholes, Giant otters, South American tapirs, East African crowned cranes, and Waldrapp ibises.
From carnivorous plants, flightless birds, and venomous lizards to peculiar marsupials, Budapest Zoo offers an insight into the diversity of the natural world and captivates both children and adults. The world’s oldest zoo is located in the heart of Budapest, and it is home to approximately 900 species. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was closed from March 15 to May 20. After the gradual reopening, most services returned to the usual conditions at the end of June, but the Once-Upon-a-Time Castle is temporarily closed until further notice.
The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016. You can read about the zoo’s history by clicking HERE. In this article, we wanted to share 6 interesting facts about the Budapest Zoo to complement our previous collection of fun facts.
1. 2,201 animals saved in 2019
During the past years, a growing number of non-governmental organisations has engaged in the rescue and care of injured animals, and Budapest Zoo also has a decades-long tradition in this area. In 1986, the institution only took care of seven rescued animals, but this number grew to 115 in 1996 and exceeded 2000 in 2016. The zoo treats both common species, such as blackbirds, squirrels, and hedgehogs, and rare protected ones, such as poisoned eagles.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByzpDSgh2mz/
Last year, a total of 2,201 animals in need of human assistance were given a second chance as part of the zoo’s rescue efforts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvRgB-sAeoy/
2. First giant river otter baby in Hungary
On March 11, the zoo’s giant river otter couple wrote history: Cumana, the mother, gave birth to five babies. The successful reproduction of giant river otters is important since it is classified as “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List (2008). Currently, the main threats to giant river otter populations are habitat degradation, river contamination due to mining and agriculture, overharvesting of fish, and hunting for its skin.
This huge member of the weasel family is native to South America, and it can grow up to 1.5-1.8 m long. Photo: Nóra Csécsei
Budapest Zoo has even shared a video about the first giant river otter babies born in Hungary:
3. The Magic Mountain
Located within the Great Rock, the Magical Hill is the newest attraction in Budapest Zoo. It presents the diversity of the flora and fauna, how this diversity evolved, and how the relationship between humankind and nature developed through history on 3,200 square metres, 4 floors, and 16 showrooms. In the primaeval ocean on the lowest level of the Magical Hill, visitors can admire animal groups that evolved more than one hundred million years ago and have not changed ever since, such as rays or horseshoe crabs. The Time tunnel provides an overview of the evolution of flora and fauna from the population of primaeval oceans to the prehistoric man. In the Dark Labyrinth, people can observe nocturnal animals, like bats and jerboas.
4. Take a walk among hundreds of tropical butterflies
On July 11, the Butterfly Garden was reopened to the general public. This seasonal showcase of the Budapest Zoo is usually open from the end of May or early June to the end of September.
Photo: Nóra Csécsei
Walking through the 240-square-metre Butterfly Garden, visitors can admire more than four hundred specimens of 19 colourful tropical butterfly species, including the Julia butterfly (Dryas Iulia) and the Peleides blue morpho (Morpho Peleides), and observe them in flight and during feeding.
Photo: Nóra Csécsei
Photo: Nóra Csécsei
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByZyKRzBak7/
5. The first Shark School in Hungary
In 2018, the attractions of the Once-upon-a-Time Castle were completed with Hungary’s first Shark School. In 2019, the exhibit displayed four different shark species: the blacktip reef shark, the nurse shark, the tawny nurse shark, and the zebra shark, several kinds of rays, and several species of bony fish. The Shark School provides a unique opportunity to get close to these fascinating animals and see how the keepers deal with them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtB_PzXgkW2/
6. Preserving biodiversity
Every year, Budapest Zoo offers a variety of educational and exciting programs on the World Wildlife Day on March 3. The institution plays an important role in preserving biodiversity by raising awareness of the dangers threatening biodiversity and actively contributing to the protection of endangered species. A significant area of nature conservation activity in Budapest Zoo is the ex-situ conservation of endangered species, which is the process of protecting these animals outside their natural habitats.
Amur tiger at Budapest Zoo Photo: Nóra Csécsei
Budapest Zoo is involved in the rescue of a total of 69 special species within the framework of the European Endangered Species Programme.
Southern white rhinoceros at Budapest Zoo Photo: Nóra Csécsei
In the case of in-situ conservation, meaning the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings, the institution takes part in the protection of the Hungarian meadow viper (Vipera Ursinii Rakosiensis), which is Europe’s most endangered venomous snake.
If you are looking for advice on how to create a successful blog, you need to consider what people want to read. By writing about topics that others find valuable and useful, you’ll generate interest and gain loyal fans, slowly building up your popularity.
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For those living in the Hungarian capital, writing about exciting activities, or tourist attractions, particularly those that are child-friendly, could be a fantastic place to start. So why not check out these fun places to take the kids in Budapest for inspiration?
Budapest Zoo
Children of all ages will love the fantastic variety of animals at Budapest Zoo. Get up close and personal with exotic creatures from all over the world and learn about their habitats. While you’re there, make sure to visit the stunning Art Nouveau Elephant House, which is sure to delight the whole family.
Aquaworld
Another great tourist attraction for kids is Aquaworld. Here kids can burn off lots of energy whizzing down slides, having a go on thrilling rides, and splashing in the many fun-filled swimming pools. There are places to grab and drink and a bite to eat, so you can easily spend a whole action-packed day here. Even better, it’s all indoors, so if the weather’s terrible, it won’t spoil the fun!
Outdoor pools
Of course, if the sun’s out, you’ll no doubt want to spend time enjoying the great weather!
So why not head to one of the city’s fantastic outdoor pools where you can swim, sunbathe and relax? Margaret Island is a vast recreational park right in the middle of the Danube and offers both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as bicycle rental, playgrounds, and even a petting zoo!
Children’s playgrounds
Budapest is home to many brilliant children’s playgrounds. One of the most popular is Millenaris, with plenty to keep the kids entertained and lots of green space to grownups to sit and relax too. Other top parks include Kopaszi-gát, which offers stunning landscaped grounds and its very own sandy beach, as well as lots of child-friendly restaurants to choose from. City Park (Városliget) is another great option and is where you’ll find the zoo, a circus, and a big lake where you can hire rowing boats in the summer and skate on in the winter!
Buda Hills is an ideal location if your little ones love being adventurous in the great outdoors.
Here you’ll find Challengeland where they can zip-line through the trees, as well as horseback riding trails, and the Children’s Railway (which is run by children, though under adult supervision of course). You can also take a trip on the Libegő, which is a two-way chair that takes you up into the sky and provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Museums and cultural attractions
Of course, if you are looking for culture and an engaging learning experience for your children, then Budapest is particularly fruitful. There are a huge number of exciting, interactive museums for children to explore, including the Museum of Transport, the Hungarian Natural History Museum, or the Palace of Arts. You can also enjoy fantastic educational experiences at the planetarium where children can learn all about our planet, galaxy, and beyond. The Tropicarium is another excellent option for kids with lots of beautiful marine life, including many weird and beautiful species, and sharks too, of course!
Kids Conquer Buda Castle
If you’d like your children to find out more about the history and fantastic landmarks and architecture of the city, why not book them on an interactive city discovery tour?
These are specifically designed for younger ones to keep them engaged and interested as you learn more about the impressive Hungarian capital.
We all know that traveling with kids can be challenging at times. However, by planning out your days and researching the best places for kids from attractions and tours to parks and child-friendly restaurants, you’ll be able to keep the little ones happy and entertained while also having a fantastic time too. Use the list above as a guide to the best places to take the kids in Budapest, and when you visit them, why not write about them to share your knowledge and experience with others?
A tortoise was harmed with a piece of cobblestone at Budapest Zoo during the week. The animal suffered life-threatening injuries and had to be euthanised. The zoo is pressing charges for animal torture and cruelty.
The zoo’s spokesperson informed the public about what had happened. The animal was hit by a rock which seriously damaged its carapace and internal organs, which lead to serious internal bleeding. The animal was found shortly before closing for the day, Origo reports.
The vets immediately realised that the animal suffered life-threatening injuries. The injuries were so severe that the poor animal would not make it until the next day. Unfortunately, the vets could not save its life and decided to do anaesthesia. The tortoise died not long after the incident. The zoo wants answers and is taking serious legal actions.
Luckily, surveillance camera footage was discovered soon after the incident. The attacker was a thin, 20-25-year-old woman with long brown hair. On the day of the incident, she was wearing a long-sleeved black blouse, an army green overalls and sneakers. Police asks anyone who has seen or has any kind of information about the woman in the photo to call immediately.
Photo: Police.hu
Budapest Zoo pressed charges. The police are currently investigating the case. The woman is facing charges of cruelty to an animal and animal torture.
The victim was a Hermann’s tortoise, which is one of the five tortoise species. This tortoise can be found all over Southern Europe: in Eastern Spain, Southern France, the Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, South and Central Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey and Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro.
Hermann’s tortoises are small or medium-sized. Young animals usually have black and yellow-patterned carapaces, although the brightness may fade as time goes by to a less distinct grey, straw, or yellow colouration.
They have slightly hooked upper jaws and, like other tortoises, possess no teeth, just strong, horny beaks. Their scaly limbs are greyish to brown, with some yellow marks, and their tails bear a spur (a horny spike) at the tip. Adult males have particularly long and thick tails and well-developed spurs, distinguishing them from females.
The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden became the first among the Hungarian zoos and the 17th best one of the 110 leading zoos in Europe.
According to Hvg, zoos are not officially rated in the world, but there is a widely-accepted measuring system able to compare the leading zoos in Europe. The founding father of the system is a British businessman, Anthony Sheridan, who, in fact, became very successful in the electronics industry. However, when he retired in 2007,
he decided to visit Europe’s leading zoos and created criteria to evaluate and rank them.
His list, the detailed description of his method and some further experiences of his were published in 2011 in a book titled What Zoos Can Do. Since then, Sheridan has been visiting the most important zoos in Europe in order to regularly update his list.
According to a statement, he visited the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden a couple of days ago, where he gave a speech about the actual trends of the development of the European zoos and mentioned his list as well.
On his most recent list – like on the previous ones -, the Budapest Zoo stands in the first place among the zoos in Hungary. He analysed and ranked 110 European zoos, among which there are four Hungarian ones. The zoo in Budapest received 189 while those in Nyíregyháza, Szeged and Veszprém received 189, 157 and 113 points based on
visitors’ experience, the level of services,
the professional work being done in the zoo and some further criteria.
In Europe, Budapest Zoo is the 17th best one and received
as many points as the zoo in Copenhagen and Dublin.
Interestingly, Budapest Zoo falls behind the zoo of Berlin (193), Rotterdam (203) and Amsterdam (191) but precedes the zoo of London (183), Antwerp (181), Frankfurt (175), Barcelona (171) and Edinburgh (170).
As we reported before, Budapest Zoo is home to 8,807 animals of 856 species, which makes the collection one of Europe’s most diverse ones. In fact, a total of 131 species of mammals, 152 species of birds, 125 species of reptiles, 32 species of amphibians and 204 species of fish are on display at the zoo. There are also 206 species of invertebrates, around half of which are insects.
If you want to read about Hungary’s brand new spectacle open at Budapest Zoo’s Holnemvolt Castle, the first shark school in the country, click HERE.
Even though Valentine’s Day is over, it seems like love is definitely in the air in the Budapest Zoo. Two polar bear were caught “sharing a kiss”, to the joy of the onlookers 🙂
The video was shared by itv.com, according to which the animals act in this way when they’re asking for something. Budapest Zoo received two male polar bears, Belij and Szerij and 2017, who happen to be brothers and it is likely that they are the stars of the video.
The Budapest Zoo is home to 8,807 animals of 856 species, which makes the collection one of Europe’s most diverse, the zoo said in a statement on Thursday.
A total of 131 species of mammal, 152 species of bird, 125 species of reptile, 32 species of amphibian and 204 species of fish are on display at the zoo, the statement said. There are also 206 species of invertebrate, around half of which are insects, it added.
Adolf Lendl, who headed the zoo between 1911 and 1919, was the first director who made efforts to present a diversity of species and was thus 50 years ahead his time, the zoo said, adding that this applies when it comes to plants, of which there are more than 4,000.
Budapest Zoo occupies 17th place on the Sheridan list of top zoos in Europe, level with Copenhagen and Dublin.
As we wrote December, Hungary’s brand new spectacle is open at Budapest Zoo’s Holnemvolt Castle. This new institution offers insight into different kinds of shark species and how the new-born sharks at the zoo are being taken care of and raised by the zookeepers. Visitors also get the opportunity to try out some of the zookeepers’ tasks, to get closer to these animals and deconstruct common misconceptions about sharks. More details HERE.
HUNGARIAN ZOO BECOMES THE BEST IN EUROPE
SóstóZoo, the zoo of Nyíregyháza, became the best European Zoo from 44 contestants in the 250-500 thousand visitors/year category, read more HERE.
Hungary’s brand new spectacle is open at Budapest Zoo’s Holnemvolt Castle. This new institution offers insight into different kinds of shark species and how the new-born sharks at the zoo are being taken care of and raised by the zookeepers. Visitors also get the opportunity to try out some of the zookeepers’ tasks, to get closer to these animals and deconstruct common misconceptions about sharks.
According to magyarepitok.hu, this new building has three salt-watered pools. Two smaller ones with 30 and 90 thousand litres of water and the biggest one with 660 thousand litres. At the buildings’ opening ceremony, it was reported that this new spectacle is not separated from visitors and can be visited across the year.
The Shark School is going to cooperate with the nearby Pannon Park as well: new-born sharks are going to be raised at the Shark School and after they reached adulthood they are going to be moved to Pannon Park, where shark tanks will be built in the future.
Photo: www.facebook.com/allatkert
Photo: www.facebook.com/miligetunk
The structure of the new building is unique. Every room has been built in a way to offer an insight into the life and caretaking of new-born sharks. This way visitors can learn even more about these incredible predators. This institution is also a school for sharks: they learn here how to live together with other animals in one tank and will also get used to the sight of scuba-divers.
This is Hungary’s second biggest pool, but Pannon Park’s will be even bigger. The necessary warm water for the sharks will be provided by Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which is not far away from the zoo.
Holnemvolt Castle was opened this May at Budapest Zoo and has a wide range of programmes for families with little children. This special amusement park in the heart of the Zoo has approximately 330 thousand visitors each year, but with this new institution, the zoo excepts more in the future.
Pannonia Park Biodome, the new building of Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, was awarded the Best Leisure Architecture of Europe at this year’s International Property Award
The building will serve as a social area with a subtropical climate and it will be populated with animals and plants reviving the ancient flora and fauna of the Carpathian basin, Index claims referring to the announcement of Paulinyi-Reith & Partners, the designer of the new unit.
„The Biodome is a piece of ancient wildlife migrated to the city. With its mild arches this artificial hill perfectly bends into its environment. Creeper plants will cover it on foothill level, while the roof of the building will be mostly light-transmitting,”
says the announcement. The 1.7-hectare biodome is only a part of the 5-hectare area of Pannon Park, highlights Budapest Zoo on its website. The average height of the building will be 17 m, while its highest point will be only 36 m – in comparison, the Great rock is 34 m high without the lightning conductor on the top of it. The construction will be carried out by Market Építő Ltd.
„Visitors will be able to view the animals walking through the paths, but there will be a more adventurous option as well, since there will be a winding little river under the dome, where they row a boat while discovering the wildlife,”
states the zoo, which will have a new aquarium as well. Take a look at their designes in our gallery:
Photo: Paulinyi-Reith & Partners
Photo: Paulinyi-Reith & Partners
Photo: Paulinyi-Reith & Partners
Photo: Paulinyi-Reith & Partners
Photo: Paulinyi-Reith & Partners
This was not the only success at the International Property Awards as another Hungarian building, namely, the all-new Ethnographic Museum has been chosen the best public service architecture first in Europe and then in the world as well. This was the first time during the 25-year history of the award that a Hungarian building won its category.
Holnemvolt Vár (“Once Upon A Time Castle”) recently opened its gates inside the Budapest Zoo, with interactive fairytale castle, petting zoo and countless other fun activities for families with young children, pestbuda.hu reports.
“The 1.5-hectare community space showcases the values of the past as well as the natural wonders of the present for the youngest generations”, said Isván Tarlós at the opening of the park. He remarked that it is not the only innovation taking place at the Zoo: the five-hectare Pannon Park is currently under construction which will engage with state-of-the-art technology and visuals to further educate the youngest visitors about the environment. Moreover, a garage project is underway, too, with 700 parking spots to make the zoo experience smoother for everyone.
The director of the Zoo, Miklós Persányi stressed his hopes that the “new park signals the sort of rich content and quality that will characterise both the Zoo and the City Park in the future”, referring to the Liget reconstruction project that has also come under some controversy as we have previously reported.
The new area is home to mostly tamer species, with a petting zoo, a Guinea Pig City, and domesticated farmyard animals. But kids can get acquainted with alpacas, Bactrian camels, as well as characteristic Hungarian animals like cattle, Transylvanian sheep, and the Mangalica pig.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/allatkert/
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/allatkert/
The central Hetedhét Palota (“Faraway Palace”) is dedicated to Hungarian fables connected to animals, with games evoking classical Hungarian cartoons such as Vuk (a touching story about a fox family), Süsü (a benevolent but clumsy dragon that only has one head), and Dr. Bubó (about an intellectual owl who works as a doctor).
What’s more, the famous author of children’s literature, István Csukás, wrote a new story specifically for this location.
Future projects include a Hedgehog Hospital centred around the animal rescue work taking place in the Zoo, and a Shark School with a marine aquarium.
Spring season starts this weekend at the Budapest Zoo. Programmes include petting rabbit as well as various shows. The zoo also opens a new area called Holnemvolt Vár (Once upon Castle). Funzine.hu reports about the details.
Budapest Zoo prepared many entertaining programmes for the long weekend: etymological shows and training elephants and sea lions, among others. Visitors can admire 850 species all in all at the zoo. Furthermore, there are also newborn animals such as gorillas, muntjacs, orangutans, giraffes, kangaroos, elephants, and agoutis.
Photo: www.zoobudapest.com
Once upon Castle
However, the biggest attraction is the Holnemvolt Vár (Once upon Castle), that is the first part of the zoo’s developmental process. It offers programmes for kids between the ages of 3 and 10 on its 1.6 acres. This new play area is situated in the former amusement park’s place and the zoo’s former business area. Here, children can get to know the tame animals. Therefore, the animal petting area will be here as well as a guinea pig town and bigger domestic animals. At the Nyíhangár (Neih Barn), visitors can learn about horse riding traditions. Additionally, craft activities, pottery, and a bakery will entertain the smaller ones in the Macskakő utca (Cobble Street).
The Hetedhét Palace will be an indoor play centre decorated with the animal characters of the Hungarian folk tales. This 3000 square metres area offers an opportunity for children to challenge their physical strength as well as their wit. They can also meet Vuk the fox and The Great Angler, who are famous Hungarian cartoon characters.
Photo: MTI, Balogh Zoltán
The Once upon Castle will also have an area where visitors can feel as if they were at a Hungarian funfair of the older times. Here, people can enjoy the fully renovated Schäfner carousel from 1908, the old barrel, and other traditional toys. Also for the sake of the traditions, the frontage of the zoo will look like in the 20th century, reflecting the long-ago Royal Vio Cinema and Sámuel Helfgott’s photo store.
It was in January that we last reported on the adorable news that is the birth of the newest inhabitants of the Hungarian zoos. A dingo baby was born in the Sóstó Zoo of Nyíregyháza, and a gorilla baby was born in the Budapest Zoo. So far, March seems to be a pretty productive month for the Hungarian zoos as well. This month, baby iguanas hatched at Pécs Zoo, and a baby giraffe was born in the Sóstó Zoo of Nyíregyháza, reports Nlcafe.
Baby iguanas at Pécs Zoo
For the very first time in the history of Pécs Zoo, baby iguanas (also called desert spiny lizards) hatched. The sceloporus magister is a lizard species of the subfamily Phrynosomatidae.
Photo: www.pecszoo.hu
These types of iguanas are native to the deserts of North America. In the United States, this type of lizard can be found in the following states: Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. As these types of iguanas are phrynosomatidaes, their closest living relatives are the green and rhinoceros iguanas.
Fun fact: Pécs Zoo is the only zoo in Hungary where visitors can see this particular type of iguana.
These iguanas grow up to 14 cm. The baby iguanas are being kept apart from the others, for now, visitors cannot see them yet, but as soon as they are grown and strong enough, they will join the others in the terrarium.
Photo: www.pecszoo.hu
Baby giraffe in Sóstó Zoo
It has been three years since the last giraffe baby was born in the Sóstó Zoo of Nyíregyháza, it was time for expanding the family again. The giraffe baby is two weeks old, 180 cm and 70kg.
Photo: Facebook.com/sostozoo
Currently, there are three adult female giraffes in the zoo, one adult male and two younger ones. The baby giraffe is yet to be introduced to the whole family.
The giraffe mama, Laura nurtures the baby herself and will continue to do so until the baby giraffe will be 12-16 months old.
Photo: Facebook.com/sostozoo
The baby giraffe has a three-and-a-half-year-old sister Kamilla, who was not nurtured by Laura, the mother giraffe, but the zoo workers fed her in the first few months.
Continuing our series about less known legends concerning our famous sights in the capital, in this part, we are going to investigate among others why an African tribe was exhibited in the 1890s in the Budapest Zoo. We also report on what happened to the architect responsible for the design of the overpass at Nyugati Square and whether there is a person who really lives in a windowless flat in the Buda tunnel. If you are curious about unveiling the secret of these stories, join us.
If you are obsessed with stories and you like walking around Budapest and recall these at our famous sights, you might be interested in another collection of incredible legends that people are likely to forget. Some stories are true to some extent while, as far as others are concerned, we cannot be sure.
1. New York Café and the lost key
As Lobu.hu reports, the story of the lost key of the café dates back to 1894 when the owner, Sándor Steuer, opened the rightly famous café still operating today. Although it aimed to appeal to the higher classes, the New York Café was also visited by great poets and authors. Such great stories were born at this place as The Paul Street Boys by Ferenc Molnár, and it is not surprising that aspiring literary figures were also invited to the inauguration ceremony.
/newyorkcafe.hu/
According to the legend, the guests so much wanted the place to stay open forever for everyone, that Ferenc Molnár grabbed the key and led the crowd to the bank of the Danube where, ensuring their plan, he dropped the key into the river.
What is the truth behind this story? It is true that the Café House was opened in 1894 and that many aristocratic guests got invited to the event. However, at that time, Ferenc Molnár was only 16 years old, and although he was studying to become a journalist, his writing career was just at the very beginning. Therefore, it is most probable that he was not among the guests.
/newyorkcafe.hu/
However, some sources mention that the incident really happened. According to them, it was not in 1894 that the writer dropped the key into the Danube, but in 1927 when the place was under renovation. This time, Ferenc Molnár was already 49 years old. Anyway if you ask whether the key really disappeared in the Danube, then the answer is undoubtedly positive.
On 19 October 2014, the present owner of the café dropped the key into the river ensuring that both the legend and the café house, chosen among the most beautiful café houses of the world, stay alive for another 120 years.
2. Suicide in a café house solved with a crossword puzzle
Urbanlegends.hu mentions the mysterious circumstances of the death of a Hungarian man in a café house. This legend was also reported at that time by The Evening (Az Est) paper according to which, a little bit after midnight, the man in question went into the Emke café house located on the corner of the Rákóczi Street and the Erzsébet Boulevard. After drinking his coffee, he went to the telephone booth and dialled a number several times without success.
/emkekavehaz.hu/
Around 1 a.m., the cloakroom staff heard the shot of a gun coming from the direction of the lavatory. The man was lying on the ground and blood was running out of his head and chest. They called the ambulance and the police, who were looking through the personal identity documents of the man, reported that he was Gyula Antal (25), a waiter living in Csengery Street.
Furthermore, they found a crossword puzzle within an envelope with the word “suicide” on it. The police started to resolve the mystery, but sources mention that the crossword puzzle was never solved.
Some papers claim that he lived in miserable circumstances for quite a long time, he could not pay his flat, and he had a rent debt as well.
Nothing is certain about the incident since then, but it is curious that at that time when the waiter died, crossword puzzles were novelties in Hungary and the 1st one only had appeared one year before the incident happened in 1925.
3. An African tribe exhibited at the Budapest Zoo
If you look for legends about Budapest, this is undoubtedly the story that you are going to find. Supposedly, at the end of the 19th century, members of an African tribe lived in the Budapest Zoo in a separate area where visitors could see them. The Sunday Paper (Vasárnapi Újság) reported the spectacle of 250 Black people coming from Africa to Budapest for the millennium.
/epa.oszk.hu/
As the paper goes, their body is only covered with a veil that allows seeing most parts of their body. This gives the opportunity for the regular visitor to examine their body that is during a bath similar to a perfect statue. Their movements are statue-like and natural at the same time. The source further mentions that particular attention was paid to the fact to let them do their daily activities without disturbance like in Africa. Men worked while women cooked, washed the clothes and ironed them in separate houses. Their language was called the ga.
Check out some basic words in this language!
/epa.oszk.hu/
bread = buruburu
water = la
hen = úa
gold = futu
white man =blotinyulé
And how did they get to Budapest? The director of the zoo at that time was a French man who was employed for some time at the French navy. Therefore, he reached the coasts of Africa and became a merchant. For the Exposition Universelle of 1889 held in Paris, he took a group of Black people with him. He was a well-known gentleman among the Black, and that is why every year, a new group of them agreed to come to Hungary where he could present them to the educated public. Of course, this did not only occur in Budapest but in other European capitals as well at that time.
4. An unsuccessful overpass and the suicide of its architect
There is also a legend circulating about the construction of the overpass at Nyugati Square As Hvg.hu reports, a famous architect was commissioned to carry out the works.
The works started on either side of the overpass, and when it seemed to be ready, it was realised that the sides did not connect to each other. This was due to an altitude difference realised too late.
However, the reality is a little bit more complicated. Péter Wellner was responsible for the design of the overpass, and the method of construction was to make the pieces in advance and to assemble them on the spot. The workers put together the pieces and strengthened them with glue, but being under the pressure of time, they did not wait until the glue could hold together the pieces. That is why eventually, the pieces did not connect to each other.
/FORTEPAN BY MAGYAR RENDŐR/
In fact, nobody committed suicide because of this incident, but the case continued at court in 1980. The greatest penalty was inflicted on Péter Wellner and his assistant, but after appealing to the court, experts examined the matter and realised that the mistake was reallly caused by the fact that the government urged the execution works.
5. A person living in the Buda tunnel in a windowless flat
Nlcafe.hu discovers among widespread legends the story about a man living in the Buda tunnel. The truth is that the flat was once really inhabited, but today it is in unfortunate circumstances. Furthermore, contrary to the popular belief that the flat did not have any windows, in fact, it has windows that overlook the beautiful Chain Bridge. And if you wonder who the person was who lived there for years, it is no secret that it was János Fazekas, the guardian of the tunnel and supervisor of the bridge. 🙂
/wikicommons by Funke /
Featured image: Bódis Krisztián/Budapest Images /https://www.facebook.com/pg/budapestimages/photos/?ref=page_internal
Arun, the supercute elephant baby is the Budapest Zoo’s most popular animal now. He was born on 8th November, as the second calf of the Budapest Zoo’s breeding pair Angele & Assam. Read here the chief vet’s and the curator’s short summary on the birth!
On the dawn of 8th November 2018, a baby Asiatic elephant was born in Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden. He is a male calf, and he has been named Arun (Sanskrit for dawn) following a public vote. We have already published a short film on Arun’s birth and his first steps. Now you can read here a short summary on the birth by the Budapest Zoo’s chief veterinarian Endre Sós, and the curator István Vidákovits.
There is no need for a zoo veterinarian
Expectations were high. Angele’s second parturition was still a big event at the Budapest Zoo, as (apart from her previous delivery in 2013) the last baby elephant was born in 1961 in the Budapest Zoo’s institution. In February, 2013 when Asha (Angele’s previous female calf) was born there was a real need for zoo vets. The baby (though she had a suckling reflex) did not want to suckle – first was attracted by a metal door, later did not find the teats. Intensive follow-up and constant monitoring (including standing sedation for the mother and feeding via a stomach tube for the calf) resulted a successful outcome and Asha’s mother-rearing.
Photo: Zoltán Bagosi/Budapest Zoo
Photo: MTI
But this time the question still remained: would be there a need to repeat the 50 hours long nightmare or Mother Nature (and especially Mother Angele and her calf) will do the job themselves? Writting this short summary what had happened during the previous weeks we are lucky to say the latter scenario took place. The night watches started on the 23rd of October, when the person in duty had the task to check the CCTV cameras of the elephant house in every 2 hours during the night. This was done from an operating room, no to disturb the animals.
During the morning hours of the 8th of November the birth took place uneventfully, within minutes. The next day was spent with careful watching to make sure whether the healthy, newborn male calf is suckling. According to the Budapest Zoo’s observations we were sure that things were on the right track, and everybody did (meaning of elephants of course) what was needed. So thankfully, there was no need for a zoo vet this time….
This Christmas was quite exciting in the Budapest Zoo and the Nyíregyháza Zoo, which both welcomed baby animals. A baby gorilla was born in the former zoo, while the latter one welcomed twin jaguar babies. What a blessing 🙂
Regarding the gorillas, both the mother, N’Yaounda, and the baby are doing great. According to hvg.hu, the sex of the little gorilla remains a secret for now as the relationship between the mother and the baby is very close, they are attached to each other, and there’s no reason to separate them for now.
Photo: MTI
The father of the baby is Golo, the alpha male of the group.
The first gorilla born in the Budapest Zoo was in 1992, the last was born in 2010. The little gorilla is the fifth baby born in the zoo. Currently, six gorillas are kept in the Budapest Zoo, out of whom two are infants.
Photo: MTI
Zoltán Hanga, the spokesman of the zoo, said that the little gorilla can be already visited after Christmas.
The stork also flew by the Nyíregyháza Zoo, where twin jaguars were born: one of them has yellow fur, while the other is black. The cubs are already one month old, but they were only presented to the public at Christmas.
Photo: MTI
According to szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, the colleague of the zoo said that these animals are quite lonely, the nursing of the cubs is the task of the female, while the male is separated from them since he could be dangerous for the babies.
She added that the jaguar, the only big cat of the New World, comes in different colours: yellow, black spotty and black.
Photo: www.facebook.com/NyíregyháziÁllatpark
This is why it’s possible that the twins look different 🙂
Lobu.hu reports that when the well-known Budapest Amusement Park was eventually closed 4 years ago, in 2013, many people naively thought that the park and its historical buildings, that are parts of our cultural heritage, might be preserved as parts of the zoo. However, 2 years later, people had to say goodbye even to the Once Upon a Time Park (Holnemvolt Park). These days, only the Carousel, the Rollercoaster and the Tale Boats make locals remember for the once crowded and popular theme park that is partly going to be transformed into a parking lot suitable for the accomodation of 700 vehicles.
When the 1st news spread about the closure of the famous amusement park, many people had sinister feelings about what is going to be the fate of it. In 2013, people already suspected that something was in the air, as it was obvious that the machines were outdated and that there was an urgent need for the global modernization and the renewal of the whole park. It was no longer economical or safe to be open. Furthermore, time passed by and the locals expressed their desire for the latest technology and the better machines present in foreign theme parks for quite a long time.
Today, only the most popular machines like the Carousel (1906), the Tale Boats (1920), the building of the dodgem cars and the wooden Roller Coaster (1922) are protected from destruction.
The future parking lot, replacing the once famous Amusement Park, is going to be constructed by the end of 2019. The General Assembly of Budapest accepted the proposal and the Hermina Parking Lot Project is already in the planning stage. According to these plans, there are going to be underground parking lots and parking spaces on the surface as well, and the Pannon Park, representing the flora and fauna of the Pannonian Basin, is going to be constructed in the near future.
Pannon Park plan www.zoobudapest.com
How will the Pannon Park look like? http://www.zoobudapest.com/pannonpark/pannon-park/milyen-lesz
The history of the unforgettable Amusement Park
Initially, it was only open in the summer, but thanks to the high interest in the park, during the 1970s, it was transformed so it could be open to the public in winter, too. Besides the renovation of the machines, a huge playing area was also opened that was not only popular, but also helped the whole park to operate financially. Undoubtedly, it was an outstanding achievement at that time.
wikicommons Photo: Fortepan; user: Fae
wikicommons Foto: Fortepan; user Fae
After the regime changes, the image of the park also changed drastically. Most of the machines became outdated and despite the renovation works, the Budapest Amusement Park could not compete with the high-quality Western parks where everything was larger, more spectacular and technologically more up-to-date. The Looping Star, the Icarus Freefall Tower, the Pirat (huge pirate ship) and the wooden Rolling Coaster, however, meant unforgettable memories to everyone and thus, it is not a coincidence that the longest queues were always expected at these machines.
The Looping Star wikicommons Avayak
The favourite roller coaster /wikicommons by Avayak/
wikicommons by Livvyfan
The luckiest ones could take their children to the park and presented them with enduring memories, and we can only hope that the next generations would also find their amusement park that they can cherish even when they are grown-ups.
This week brought about quite joyful moments for the Budapest Zoo and the Szeged Zoo. The previous welcomed a healthy baby elephant, while a sweet white lion cub was born in the latter one.
The spokesperson of the zoo said that in the beginning they were a bit anxious, as the first calving is always critical. But, luckily, the cub is growing beautifully and the motherly instincts work well. The mother lion and the baby lion are under constant supervision, but everything seems to be fine.
Photo: www.zooszeged.hu/LajosEndrédi
The parents of the cub are Nadja and Timba, who arrived to the zoo in 2012. For that matter, the white animals belong to one of the populations of the South African, in other words: Kruger subspecies (Panthera leo krugeri). They only live in South Africa, in the Timbavati and Kruger National Reserves. Their light colours help them in hiding, because this region is characterised by white sandy river-beds and high grass.
The other joyful moment happened in the Budapest Zoo, where elephant Angele gave birth to her second calf.
Everything went well during the birth process, the keepers are currently waiting for the calf to find her mother’s breast.
The elephant hall is permanently closed off, as the mother and the new-born need peace to recover, for at least one and a half weeks. Until then, the father, Assam, can be visited in the Elephant House.
Tourists’ favourite places in Budapest have already been revealed based on a list composed on www.magyarorszagkul.nlcafe.hu with the help of TripAdvisor reviews. The following list, built from the same source, contains the most popular Hungarian sights among tourists that are located outside of the country’s capital. These are tourists’ favourite places to visit outside of Budapest according to TripAdvisor reviews.
Zoos
It is the Sóstó Zoo that was the most popular Hungarian zoo among tourists. It is located 5 km away from the city of Nyíregyháza, near lake Sóstó.
Photo: Facebook.com/sostozoo
Fun fact: a really cute lemur baby was born in this zoo just a couple of months ago, in July. There is only one thing cuter than animals: baby animals.
Sóstó forest is a beloved destination of both tourists and Hungarians, as well.
Zoo Veszprém was the third most popular zoo in Hungary right after the Budapest Zoo. The zoo is situated 15 km from lake Balaton in the city of Veszprém, therefore many people decide to visit the zoo in the summer while being on holiday at the lake. Both Zoo Veszprém and Sóstó Zoo are must-visit places for animal lovers. You can see life-sized copies of Dinosaurs on the Gulya Hill in Veszrpém Zoo.
Gardens
The 90-year-old Botanical Garden of the University of Szeged (SZTE) was the second, while the 180-year-old National Botanical Garden in Vácrátót was the third most popular garden on TripAdvisor according to tourists’ reviews. Both gardens offer a huge collection of beautiful plants for the lovers of nature.
National Botanical Garden, Vácrátót Photo: Facebook.com/nemzetibotanikusert
Leisure
TripAdvisor users favoured Lillafüred, a place situated in the middle part of the Northern Hungarian Mountains. Lillafüred is beloved by Hungarians too, for its beautiful surroundings and famous spa.
Lillafüred photo: Facebook.com/ILillafured
Interestingly, foreigners loved Lillafüred not necessarily because of the spa but for its picturesque walking trails: its like being in a fairy-tale. Lillafüred is indeed the ideal place for hiking trips.
Another popular place for a day of walking around was the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter in Pécs. Zsolnay porcelains are famous not only in Hungary but across Europe. The old factory building was renovated and a modern cultural district was built around it in 2011.
Zsolnay Cultural Quarter Photo: Facebook.com/zsolnaynegyed
Anybody can find something interesting to see at the cultural quarter. There are galleries, museums, a puppet theatre, a planetarium and all other sorts of places to visit.
The city of Pécs is one of the most beautiful cities in Hungary that won the European Capital of Culture title in 2010.
Architecture
Festetics Palace received great reviews on TripAdvisor. The palace is one of Keszthely’s most important monuments and tourist attractions. Festetics Palace was the third most popular Hungarian castle on TripAdvisor after the Buda Castle and the Vajdahunyad Castle.
The Esztergom Basilica (full name: The Primatial Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumed Into Heaven and St Adalbert) was the third most popular religious place after St. Stephen’s Basilica and Matthias Church.
Esztergom Basilica
These were the tourists’ 8 favourite places to visit in Hungary outside of the country’s capital, Budapest.
