construction

Will a huge residential area be built in Budapest?

Budapest Park City

If the government is serious about supporting housing projects in Budapest, it should support the construction of “Park City”, a project including affordable housing in the city’s 14th district, rather than earmarking the area for the “mini Dubai” office and apartment complex, which will drive prices up further and deepen the housing crisis, Mayor Gergely Karácsony said on Wednesday.

Commenting on statements of Gergely Gulyás, the head of the PM’s Office, at a regular press briefing earlier in the day, Karácsony said on Facebook that instead of supporting a Chinese investment in the south of the city, the government could throw its weight behind Student City, a project aimed at improving student housing.

Budapest Park City
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony

Budapest is ready to start the largest housing programme of the past 30 years. In the coming years, the municipality will spend 20 billion forints (EUR 50.0m) on rent support, affordable housing, and on bringing empty apartments into the programme, the mayor said. “I realise more would be needed, but that is up to the state, and this is still a lot more than what has been spent on housing in Budapest in the past decades.”

Park City concept Budapest
Photo: FB/Gergely Karácsony

One of the most important causes of the crisis is that only 4 percent of Hungarian apartments is community property, one of the lowest ratios in Europe, he said. In Vienna, 25 percent of flats is owned by the municipality: “That’s the direction we should take, if the government ever manages to surpass its antiquated fixation,” Karácsony said.

Here are some more visuals:

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VISUALS: Here’s how Hungary’s new Museum of Transportation may look

Hungary's new Museum of Transportation

The government sees Debrecen as a “companion capital” and wants to continue to participate in the city’s development, Construction and Transportation Minister János Lázár said on Wednesday.

Speaking after a meeting of a working group established to coordinate economic developments in the city, Hungary’s second largest, Lázár said the government aimed to put Debrecen among Europe’s 30 biggest industrial hubs. The government has ploughed HUF 500bn into developments there so far, including HUF 300bn at a business zone in the northwest of the city, home to BMW’s new factory, and HUF 200bn at an industrial zone in the south, he added.

He said everything was in place to allow the start of vehicle production in the city in 2025.

New roads to be built

He said a bypass to the east of Debrecen would be completed by 2029, while a road running to the northeast of the city would be turned into a dual carriageway, and the rail line to Nyíregyháza, to the north, would be reconstructed in the framework of a HUF 320bn investment.

He added that private capital would be involved in the reconstruction of Debrecen’s main train station which would become home to a number of commercial businesses.

He said a HUF 150bn stretch of the M4 motorway, between Törökszentmiklós and Kisújszállás, would be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026. Afterward, a stretch extending to Berettyóújfalu, connecting with the M35 motorway, will be built, he added.

Here’s how Hungary’s new Museum of Transportation may look

Lázár said the Natural History Museum and the Transportation Museum would move to Debrecen. He added that the Transportation Museum would be built on a site near the BMW factory and construction could start in 2026 or 2027.

1st Prize:

2nd Prize:

3rd Prize:

Mayor László Papp said infrastructure in the business zone in the northwest of the city was practically finished, while investments in the southern industrial park, home to battery manufacturing investments, were still needed. To complete those investments and ensure factories can start operating on time, development resources need to be secured for 2025 and 2026, he added.

Fielding questions, the mayor said greywater would account for two-thirds of the water used at the battery manufacturing facilities there, and surface water for the rest, in the interest of preserving the local groundwater supply.

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Transforming Budapest: Pest quay to be renewed greener and more welcoming

quay featured bridge

The plans were completed in the summer, and now BKK (Budapest Transport Centre) has taken another important step to get the construction work underway. The company has submitted its tenders for the reconstruction of the Antall József Quay and the area under the Elisabeth Bridge.

Budapest’s central government is working on the renewal of the Pest Quay, Magyar Építők reports. According to their statement, they aim to make the Pest Quay greener and more organised by creating a continuous pedestrian walkway and cycling opportunities, freeing up the stepped riverbanks, and expanding recreational options. They also remind us that, commissioned by BKK, the plans for the complete reconstruction of the Pest lower quay were completed this summer.

BKK has submitted two tenders for the development of a significant part of Antall József Quay and the area beneath the Elisabeth Bridge, for which public procurement procedures regarding their construction may commence next summer, should the tenders be accepted and the required EU funds provided.

MG Építész Ltd. carried out the design process intending to renew one of Budapest’s most significant public spaces in a green, livable way, worthy of its World Heritage environment while taking into account the opinions of professional and civil organisations. The statement emphasises the importance of social dialogue: in recent years, the city leadership and BKK have sent out numerous surveys to the public to understand their needs and suggestions.

After the events of mid-September when the area had to be closed during the largest flood of the past decade, it was important to consider the riverside’s susceptibility to flooding. During the planning process, BKK deemed it appropriate to design and implement green spaces and public elements that can withstand environmental challenges in the event of another flood and do not hinder the strenuous work involved in flood management.

quay danube riverbank
Source: MG Építész Ltd./BKK/Budapest City Hall

Plans for Antall József Quay: bustling, multifunctional public space

  • The development of the northern section has already taken place in several phases: most recently, a much-needed sidewalk with a row of trees and benches was built between the Parliament and Margaret Bridge, and the ramp was rebuilt, getting rid of the previous atmosphere of a barrier-lined transit route.
  • BKK plans to create a double row of trees between the Parliament and the Chain Bridge, and cars will be subject to a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour, corresponding to their current average speed. This aims to make traffic safer and reduce noise pollution, while still maintaining the conditions for vehicle traffic.
  • BKK also plans to create bike lanes, new ramps, and pedestrian crossings to improve conditions for walking and cycling. Thanks to this design, a multifunctional space could be created, which would serve vehicle traffic on weekdays but could become a venue for community events on weekends and public holidays.
quay pedestrians plan
Source: MG Építész Ltd./BKK/Budapest City Hall

Quay’s stairways to be restored under the Elisabeth Bridge

  • According to the plans, the square will cater entirely to the needs of pedestrians, with newly planted trees and a double stairway in place of the current road. Vehicles will be able to access the Pest upper quay via the Petőfi Square ramp.
  • Special attention will be paid to making the pedestrian space safe and welcoming, and the Danube more accessible. The stairways would not only serve recreational purposes, but they would also add to the aesthetic value of the public space and represent a return to the original design of this part of the quay.
quay bridge square plans
Source: MG Építész Ltd./BKK/Budapest City Hall
  • Read more about the current and future plans to renew the Quay here.

PHOTOS: Hungarian National Kayak-Canoe Academy opened near Lake Velence

Hungarian National Kayak-Canoe Academy

“Hungary has to keep up with the world’s best not only on the track and in the water, but also in preparation and in the quality of the sports facilities,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the opening of the Kovács Katalin National Kayak-Canoe Academy in Sukoró, in central Hungary, on Saturday.

“Hungarians have a special relationship with aquatic sports,” Orbán said. Even though Hungary is a landlocked country, water polo, swimming and kayaking have always been the flagships of Hungarian elite sports, he said.

The prime minister praised Katalin Kovács, 31-time world champion canoe sprinter, who competed in four Olympic games and won three gold and five silver medals. He said her example showed that community and personal ambition were the two main drivers of success.

Hungarian National Kayak-Canoe Academy
Katalin Kovács. Photo: MTI

Orbán said athletes knew that community gave them strength and endurance. Values such as trust, perseverance and camaraderie can be best learned from sports, he added.

He said the other prerequisite for a nation’s success was ambition, that we should not be satisfied with what was just good enough. These are skills that Hungary will greatly need in the period ahead, he said.

Kovács Katalin National Kayak-Canoe Academy supported by the Orbán government

The past 35 years were a fundamentally peaceful era when it was possible to achieve success with simple life strategies and slightly better than average performance, but in the future, more will be required, the prime minister said.

Hungarian National Kayak-Canoe Academy
The interior of the academy. Photo: MTI

Hungary will need people who can always “raise the bar,” Orbán said. This is why the Hungarian government invests in sports and creates sports academies such as the Kovács Katalin National Kayak-Canoe Academy, Orbán said.

Here is his video:

HERE is the academy’s Youtube page.

Read also:

  • Olympic study reveals Hungary is World’s most improved nation
  • Incredible! Veszprém wins IHF Men’s Club World Championship – PHOTOS and more HERE

PHOTOS: Budapest-Belgrade rail line upgrade reaches milestone today

The project to upgrade the rail line connecting Budapest and Belgrade has reached its “most important milestone to date”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in Kiskőrös (South Hungary) on Wednesday.

Szijjártó said the last piece of track along a 150km stretch built by civil engineering company V-Híd and its partners had been laid. He added that the upgraded rail line would be completed by the end of 2025.

The project, with a cost of around HUF 800bn, will be the “most competitive” freight route for bringing goods from Asia from ports in the south of Europe to Western Europe, he added.

Szijjártó said Hungary’s economy had profited much from acting as an economic “meeting point” between East and West in recent years. He added that annual bilateral trade between the European Union and China stood at around EUR 800bn, while trade with all of Asia reached several thousand billion euros, and much of the goods from Asia arrived by freighter at ports in Southern Europe.

Szijjártó met with the wealthiest Hungarian, Lőrinc Mészáros to celebrate together. V-Híd is in the interest of Mr Mészáros.

Sándor Font, an MP representing Kiskoros’s district, noted that Hungary was partnering with Serbia and China on the construction of the double track. In addition to the Budapest-Belgrade rail line upgrade, V-Hid Group has also started work on a close to EUR 1bn railway project in the south of the capital, owner Lőrinc Mészáros said. Showcasing some of the company’s heavy machinery, he said V-Híd had spent over EUR 100m on equipment.

Read also:

  • Partial operation begins on the Budapest-Belgrade railway line – read more HERE
  • The Serbian line is ready – we wrote about that in THIS article

Stunning VISUALS, VIDEO: New National Gallery’s construction starts in Budapest

New National Gallery will be built in Budapest

Construction of the new National Gallery is scheduled to start in the City Park next year and open its doors to the public by the end of this decade, the company in charge of the project, Városliget Zrt, said on Thursday.

The planned gallery now has a valid building permit and a public procurement procedure has begun. It will be built on the site of the previously demolished Petofi Hall, and will host the the modern collections of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery.

Together with the new National Gallery, the most important national exhibition spaces covering photography, ethnography, music and visual arts will be accessible along a single walking axis, “which is unique in the world”, the company’s statement said.

New National Gallery will be built in Budapest
Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

Hungary’s government is committed to its construction, an essential element of the renovated City Park, making the park an attractive cultural quarter and putting it on the cultural map of Europe, the statement added.

An international jury selected the plans of Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architecture firm SANAA.

Budapest Liget is currently Europe’s largest-scale cultural urban development project, the statement said.

At a government news briefing today, the head of the prime minister’s office, Gergely Gulyas, said he was aware that the project manager had announced a conditional public procurement procedure. “It doesn’t amount to much yet, only that we’ll see how much it would cost to build it”.

New National Gallery will be built in Budapest
The interior will be spacious. Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

Here is the video:

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Momentous construction to begin soon on Hungary’s southernmost Danube bridge

The new Danube bridge at Mohács

Construction on the Mohács Danube Bridge is set to commence in mid-October, following the official opening of the site at the end of September.

756-metre-long Danube bridge

The project, overseen by Duna Aszfalt Ltd, will involve the construction of a 756-metre-long bridge between Mohács and Újmohács. This will be Hungary’s southernmost bridge across the Danube. The project also includes the development of 28.8 kilometres of main roads, the construction of 13 reinforced concrete bridges, and other related infrastructure. A two-lane road will be built on the lowland side, while a four-lane road will be constructed on the Transdanubian side. Preparatory works, including archaeological excavations and demining, are expected to begin later this year, with major construction activities slated to start in early 2024.

According to MagyarÉpítők, preparations began in August when the contract between the Ministry of Construction and Transport and the contractor came into effect. Once the work permit is issued in October, construction will officially begin. Initial tasks, such as land acquisition and securing necessary permits, are already underway.

The new Danube bridge structure will consist of three spans with varying distances between the supports. It will feature steel arch bridges and suspension girders arranged in a grid pattern. The design was managed by SPECIÁLTERV Ltd, with major subcontractors including FŐMTERV Ltd, responsible for designing the road bridge, and UVATERV Ltd, which provided independent structural engineering services. Throughout the construction process, there will be a strong focus on employing modern technologies and enhancing energy efficiency, both of which are crucial for the project’s long-term sustainability.

Project objectives

The project aims to improve transport links between the two sides of the Danube and provide modern infrastructure to support the region’s development. This investment will not only stimulate the local economy but also contribute significantly to modernising the transport network in the region.

You can read more details about the Mohács bridge here: Hungary to build new Danube bridge with a budget of EUR 1 billion

Read also: New Danube bridge in Hungary inaugurated – PHOTOS

PHOTOS: Budapest’s guardian angel removed from Heroes’ Square

Budapest's guardian angel removed from its Heroes' Square column

Archangel Gabriel, Budapest’s guardian angel, has been looking over some of the most beautiful parts of the capital for 123 years. Yesterday, the statue was removed for restoration and is expected to return next year. Check out some photos below! 

Budapest’s guardian angel was in a deteriorated state

According to a National Heritage Institute’s Facebook post, the statue of Archangel Gabriel looking over Budapest from the top of a Corinthian column in the capital’s popular Heroes’ Square has been removed for restoration. The statue needed a quick revamp due to its deteriorated state.

Budapest's guardian angel removed from its Heroes' Square column
Photo: FB/National Heritage Institute

The Millenium Monument of the Heroes’ Square is one of the emblematic places in Hungary where many tourists pay a visit and take some selfies. The monument depicts some of the turning points of the Hungarian history in the Carpathian basin, from its conquest to the 1848-1849 freedom fight.

Watching over the square from the top of a 36-metre-high Corinthian column is the artistic masterpiece of György Zala, the statue of Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel holds in its right hand the Holy Crown of Hungary, while in the left, there is the Patriarchal cross, just as in the legendary dream of Saint Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary who – based on the legend – received the Holy Crown from the pope.

The restoration will take 6-12 months

The restoration of the 123-year-old sculpture began in July, but first, experts carefully examined, inspected and 3D scanned it to gain proper information about its state and record all its damages. The statue is almost five meters tall and has not undergone a significant renovation since its installation in 1901.

Budapest's guardian angel removed from its Heroes' Square column
Photo: FB/National Heritage Institute

According to the National Heritage Institute, scaffolding was erected around the column and the sculpture enabling the take-off of the statue with the help of a crane. The restoration will take 6-12 months based on its inner state. They will strengthen not only the statue but also the pedestal. It is expected that the statue will occupy its original place on the column and over Budapest in spring 2025.

Budapest's guardian angel removed from its Heroes' Square column
Photo: FB/National Heritage Institute

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Will Brussels withhold further EU funds from Hungary?

European Union Hungary Poland venice commission EU funds

Brussels has expressed dissatisfaction with a Hungarian law passed in November, citing concerns that a lack of transparency in public works investments violates EU regulations. As a result, Hungary now faces the serious risk of the EU freezing further EU funds, which could lead to the loss of billions of euros.

Brussels finds Hungarian law problematic

As Portfolio reports, the European Commission and the Hungarian government have been at odds since March over a public works investment law enacted in November. Brussels argues that the legislation may violate EU standards for transparency and competition in public procurement, as it allows the government to exempt certain projects from procurement procedures. These exemptions, seen as inadequately justified, raise concerns about transparency and could breach rules on the efficient use of EU funds. Despite repeated warnings, Hungary faces significant repercussions, including the potential freezing of billions in EU funds for operational programmes.

Violation of EU rules?

The European Commission has raised pecific concerns about a Hungarian law requiring property transfers, often free of charge, to the ministry responsible for overseeing certain investments. This arrangement, which particularly affects local authorities, could violate EU rules governing transparency in project implementation. Ongoing negotiations between Brussels and Hungary continue, with the Ministry of Construction and Transport confirming that it responded to the Commission’s concerns by the 24th April deadline.

real estate
Source: Pixabay

Ongoing investigation

The Hungarian Ministry of Construction and Transport has confirmed that it provided detailed explanations to the European Commission within the required timeframe. The ministry argued that elevating investment regulations to the level of law would create a coherent framework and strengthen legal guarantees for all parties involved, thereby supporting the rule of law. While the ministry hopes these explanations will satisfy Brussels, the European Commission has stated that its investigation is still ongoing, as key amendments to the law were only introduced in August. Discussions remain active as the Commission evaluates the potential misuse of EU funds.

What will happen to the EU funds?

The future of the EU funds for Hungary remains uncertain, with public infrastructure investments worth up to EUR 2-6.5 billion at risk due to ongoing disputes with Brussels. Although a full suspension of these funds is considered unlikely, given the Hungarian government’s cooperation, negotiations continue. Additionally, sources from both the Orbán cabinet and Brussels indicate that the dispute is likely to be resolved by the end of 2024.

However, other significant disagreements remain unresolved. Talks over the release of EUR 10.4 billion from the recovery and resilience fund, as well as EUR 6.35 billion in cohesion funds, have been stalled for months, with no signs of progress. In a recent cabinet briefing, Gergely Gulyás acknowledged the gravity of the situation, warning that these frozen funds could be lost by the end of the year if an agreement is not reached.

european commission budget deficit
European Commission, Brussels. Photo: Pixabay

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Hungarian government: European Capital of Culture title presented opportunity to ‘reposition’ region of Veszprém

veszprém

The title of European Capital of Culture, which the town of Veszprém and the Lake Balaton region held last year, presented a good opportunity to “reposition” the region, the regional development minister told an international conference assessing the experiences of the programme and the opportunities of the region.

Repositioning Veszprém

Tibor Navracsics praised the region’s richness in historical landmarks, natural beauty, culture and traditions, and said it was on par with “other, more popular touristic regions in western Europe”.

The programme aimed to strengthen local communities, “and to showcase Hungarian elements in European culture and European traits in Hungary’s culture,” Navracsics said.

Organisers have emphasised the reconstruction of buildings rather than infrastructure as it is habitual during the ECC year, and they focused on sustainability, he said.

The programmes involved 116 localities, in a co-financing model that made sure every locality contributed to the success, he said.

Hopefully, the region would go on to become a “creative region”, with the creative industries dominant in its economy, he said. Infrastructure developments would be another feature to focus on, he added.

veszprém city
Photo: facebook.com/VeszpremBalaton2023

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Hungarian opposition politician reveals residence of Orbán’s father – PHOTOS, VIDEO

Hungarian opposition politician reveals the residence of Orbán's father, Hatvanpuszta

Ákos Hadházy, a Hungarian opposition politician (in)famously known for his private investigations, has released photos of a newly built residence owned by the father of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Hungarian opposition sneaks a peek

According to Telex , Ákos Hadházy has unveiled new images of the Hatvanpuszta estate, which is owned by Győző Orbán, the father of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The photos reveal various details of the property, including a filled swimming pool. Although the estate is officially owned by the elder Orbán, many believe it is frequently used by the Prime Minister, who is said to spend long weekends there with his family and to regularly host government officials, Fidesz politicians, and businessmen. The renovation of the 19th-century estate, estimated to have cost around HUF 11.5 billion (EUR 30 million), has attracted considerable attention.

You can see the photos taken by Hadházy here:

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Astonishing Hungarian castle in Southern Transdanubia to be modernised soon

castle of Simontornya, Hungarian castle

The Castle of Simontornya, a charming 13th-century Renaissance castle located in Southern Transdanubia, is set to undergo a significant modernisation. While the castle is still in relatively good condition, there is always room for improvement. Plans are in place to upgrade its infrastructure, and the castle will soon offer a new virtual reality (VR) experience, providing unique insights into the history of the town and its remarkable castle.

Boosting local tourism

Lelépő notes that the Castle of Simontornya is set to undergo major development, aimed at preserving its historical legacy while offering modern experiences to attract contemporary visitors. With a substantial grant of HUF 236 million (EUR 593,961) secured by the local municipality, the project will not only enhance the castle’s appeal but also introduce new services to create memorable experiences for tourists. This investment is expected to boost the local economy and elevate the town’s status as a tourist destination.

castle of Simontornya
Photo: Facebook / Simontornyai Vár

Developments at the Hungarian castle

As part of the TOP Plus programme, several innovations are planned for the area around Simontornya Castle, including the construction of a modern 160-square-metre reception building to enhance visitor comfort. The project will also feature a car park with spaces for 16 cars and 2 buses, along with two charging points for electric vehicles, supporting sustainability efforts. However, the modernisation of infrastructure is not the only priority.

A modern experience

The rich history of the Castle of Simontornya and its surroundings will be vividly brought to life through detailed VR animations, allowing visitors to explore different historical periods. By using VR glasses, guests can immerse themselves in the past, experiencing the life of the castle and its surroundings as if they were stepping back in time.

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Hungarian government supports revamping Transylvanian university building

Hungarian government helps renovate university building in Transylvania

The Hungarian government will provide 560 million forints (EUR 1.4m) for the refurbishment of another property belonging to the Hungarian Sapientia University of Transylvania, Culture Minister Balázs Hankó said in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár), in north-western Romania, on Friday.

The building, a historical monument in the centre of Cluj, will serve as a accommodation for guest professors and will host specialised courses after renovation, the minister said.

“Our mission is to ensure that Hungarian youth in the Carpathian Basin can acquire competitive skills and preserve their Hungarian identity at the same time,” Hanko told a press conference at the building.

Hungarian government helps renovate university building in Transylvania
Photo: MTI

The single-storey building was purchased by the Sapientia Foundation from a grant provided by the Hungarian government in 2021.

Read also:

  • ARWU: Hungarian university in the world’s top 500 – read more HERE

Hungary’s first smart kindergarten opens in Budapest – PHOTOS

Smart kindergarten in Budapest

An unbelievable place opened for small kids in Budapest: Hungary’s first smart kindergarten where small children can learn the basics of coding and spend the day in a bilingual environment to learn English.

Costs were high, but the results are incomparable

According to index.hu, Hungary’s first smart daycare opened in Angyalföld (13th district, Budapest), and a humanoid robot, Pepper, greeted people during the inauguration ceremony. The complete revamp of the building cost HUF 2.7 billion (EUR 6.85 million) for the local taxpayers and started in 2022.

Smart kindergarten in Budapest
Mayor József Tóth and Pepper. Photo: FB/József Tóth

The local council believes that developing digital skills should be started in kindergartens. The district’s mayor, József Tóth, said they should educate the future generations to use the achievements of the digital age deliberately.

Kids may learn the basics of coding in the first smart kindergarten

The kindergarten building was entirely renewed and rebuilt. The constructor, Archikon Architectural, built a new floor on the original one-storey building and connected the buildings with airy spaces, creating all the necessary rooms and places for a successful operation.

The kindergarten has a fitness room, multiple versions of green spaces, a studio, a smart room, and even a salt room. Moreover, kids can even try climbing walls inside the building. Kitchens are on both floors, connected by a dumbwaiter. The green roof has several solar panels.

Equipped with various digital devices, the smart room helps learn the basics of coding, while kids can experiment with cooking in the school kitchen or create art pieces in the studio. Moreover, parents can check what their children do inside via cameras. Meanwhile, Pepper, the humanoid robot, will be at the helpdesk.

Smart kindergarten in Budapest
Photo: FB/József Tóth

Here is a video of Pepper:

Kids can learn the basics of code writing with the BeeBot, which also develops their logic. According to the mayor, they pay special attention to developing social and emotional skills, apart from introducing technology to them.

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No Formula 1 race in Hungary in 2025? Hungaroring in ruins – PHOTOS

Hungaroring reconstruction

The official Facebook page of the Hungaroring has shared some startling photos showing the current state of the race track and its facilities. Here’s what’s happening.

Hungaroring in “ruins”

It’s been a month since the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. However, for some, viewing the Hungaroring now might be disheartening, as nearly all its buildings, along with the race track, appear devastated. The scene resembles something more akin to the aftermath of a bombing. The iconic main building, long a symbol of racing in Hungary, and the paddock have all but vanished. Pits now gape open where drivers and their teams were working on their cars just weeks ago.

Hungaroring reconstruction
Photo: FB/Hungaroring

The reason for this drastic change is that the Hungaroring is undergoing major renovation. Since it first hosted Formula 1 in 1986, the circuit has remained largely unchanged. The original structures were built in just eight months – far quicker than any other modern Formula 1 circuit, according to F1 Technical. Yet despite the passage of time, most of the buildings and grandstands have seen little improvement over the years.

Hungaroring reconstruction
Photo: FB/Hungaroring

New main buildings, pits, grandstand, and larger garages

The renovation is taking place in two phases. The first phase was completed on 22 May and involved reconstructing the retaining walls in the event area, widening the paddock, and adding two tunnels under the finish straight.

Hungaroring reconstruction
Photo: FB/Hungaroring

“The utility network development has been completed, and the main entrance and building have been established, which now includes a reception centre. However, internal works will continue until 30 November,” stated Zsolt Gyulay, President and CEO of Hungaroring Sport Ltd, ahead of this year’s race.

Following Piastri’s victory, the main building was demolished to make way for a new, larger structure with expansive garages. A new grandstand and pit building are also being constructed.

Formula One Hungaroring
Photo: MTI

Mr Gyulay said they aimed to create a modern, innovative centre for all.

Upgrade deadline: 2026

Minister Gergely Gulyás announced that the final deadline for the upgrade is set for 20 April 2026. However, he did not confirm whether there would be a race in 2025. When asked about the possibility of increased ticket prices following the upgrade, Gulyás stated that the aim is not to continually raise prices. Instead, the increased capacity of the track is expected to generate significant revenue.

Hungaroring reconstruction
Photo: FB/Hungaroring

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Breathtaking palace in Buda Castle being rebuilt: new elements of the roof complete – PHOTOS

Breathtaking palace in Buda Castle being rebuilt

In the 19th century, the palace was the home of Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary, and was considered to be one of the most marvellous places of Buda. Now, the palace in Buda Castle is being rebuilt after more than 50 years, and the process reached a new milestone this week with decorative elements placed on its roof.

Breathtaking palace in Buda Castle owned by “the Hungarian” Archduke Joseph

The original palace belonged to Archduke Joseph (1872-1962), the founder of the ‘Hungarian branch’ of the world-famous Habsburg family. It was ready in 1906 following the plans of Flóris Korb and Kálmán Giergl in Historicist style.

In the 1944-1945 Soviet siege of Budapest – one of the biggest and most devastating ones in WWII -, the building suffered damages, but it did not become life-threatening. In 1951, the Communist leadership used it as a workers’ hostel. However, in 1968, they demolished it for ideological reasons instead of reconstructing it. Until 2021, the ruined area was one of the stains of the beautiful Buda Castle.

Breathtaking palace in Buda Castle being rebuilt
Photo: FB/NHP

Now, the reconstructed building will regain its original look and structure with marvellous rooms where multiple types of events can be held. Furthermore, the building will host the Constitutional Court of Hungary.

The exterior of the building will follow the outlook of the original palace. In the interior, they will rebuild the unique and jaw-dropping Grand Stairway, which will be covered in glass, and the first-floor ballroom.

Breathtaking palace in Buda Castle being rebuilt
Photo: FB/NHP

A new milestone in the reconstruction reached

According to a Facebook post of the National Hauszmann Programme, the subcontractor placed decorative tinsmith elements on the palace roof.

Breathtaking palace in Buda Castle being rebuilt
Photo: FB/NHP

The covering of the roof, one of the most spectacular elements of the rebuilding process, started this February. Currently, the tinsmith work is taking place.

Reconstructing the palace roof is challenging even with modern technology since it has 27 planes. Its area spans more than 3,000 sqm covered by 40*40 cm rhombus-shaped tin elements and double lock standing seams. Experts placed the flame-shaped roof ridges made of zink. Soon, they will place the decorative toppers as well.

Read also:

  • PHOTOS: Buda Castle becoming more beautiful than ever – Read more HERE
  • Buda Castle among the most popular castles in Europe – Details in THIS article

Hungarian construction industry closed a bad month in May, with production down

construction

Based on raw data, the Hungarian construction industry output volume surpassed the previous year’s level by 7.2% in May 2024. Out of the main groups of construction, the construction of buildings increased by 11.2%, and that of civil engineering grew by 1.1%. Based on seasonally and working day adjusted indices, construction output was 3.8% lower than in April, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Monday.

In May 2024, compared to the same month of the previous year:

According to KSH, the output of both main construction groups grew: building construction rose by 11.2%, and civil engineering grew by 1.1%.

Among the divisions of construction, production volume increased by 12.5% in building construction and decreased by 12.4% in civil engineering. Production in specialised construction activities, which have the largest weight in construction, expanded by 14.8%.

The volume of new contracts concluded lessened by 1.3%. Within it the volume of contracts for the construction of buildings increased by 5.0%, that for civil engineering decreased by 9.0%, year-on-year.

The volume of the end-of-May stock of contracts at construction enterprises was 6.0% higher than in the same period of the previous year. Within this, the volume of contracts was up by 2.5% for building construction and grew by 9.3% for civil engineering works.

In the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year:

Production volume in construction grew by 6.1%.

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Hungary supports restoration of century-old Hungarian cemetery in US

Hungary supports restoration of century-old Hungarian cemetery in US (Copy)

A century-old cemetery in the US state of Georgia, the final resting place for Hungarian vintners who emigrated there, was re-opened on Saturday, following a restoration undertaken with support from Hungary.

Deputy state secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Péter Szilágyi acknowledged the Hungarian Community Church of Georgia for coordinating the restoration which was supported by the state secretariat for national policy, Bethlen Gábor Fund Management and various companies and private individuals.

Around 200 wine-making families from Hungary emigrated to the area in the west of Georgia at the invitation of an American businessman in the 1880s.

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Featured image: illustration