The story of Budapest’s Great Market Hall all foreigners adore – PHOTOS
The Great Market Hall of Budapest is something every foreigner would like to see when they visit the Hungarian capital. Its neogothic building rules the Pest bank of the Danube near the Szabadság híd. And you can buy almost everything in it from fish to traditional Hungarian food, from wine to clothes. Here is the short story of the Great Market Hall.
According to travelo.hu, the building celebrated its 125th anniversary on February 15. Múlt-kor, a Hungarian History website, says that the leadership of Budapest started to build markets all around the city after the Millenium celebrations of 1896. Buda, Pest and Óbude united into Budapest in 1873, and the city’s population grew quick. Therefore, the old markets could not support the people’s needs.
Klauzál square market in the 7th district in 1900. Photo: fortepan
In open-air markets like the Klauzál square, authorities could not implement hygiene rules. Neither sellers nor buyers were safe because the markets were big and anarchic. Therefore, Budapest’s council called for plans to build a market hall downtown in 1891. The central and four additional market halls were opened in 1897. The next two opened in 1902 and 1903. The following market halls were built: Batthyányi square (2nd district), Hold street (5th district), Hunyadi square (6th district), Klauzál square (7th district), Rákóczi square (8th district), Vámház boulevard (9th district). Finally, the Great Market Hall was built to substitute the market halls of the 5th and 9th districts.
But what does ‘great’ mean in its name?
- The area of the building covered by its wrought-iron structure is 8,363 m²
- The main facade is 60 m long
- Its nave is 28 m high and 150 m long
- The equipment of the stands and the iron structures were made by the Waagner and the Schlick factories
- The roof is covered by Zsolnay porcelain tiles. The Zsolnay made its pyrogranite facade, too.
- Its cost reached the altogether sum of the other four market buildings.
The inner space was divided into two areas. On one side worked the retailers, while on the other side, there were the wholesalers. There was a 120 metres long tunnel leading to the Danube wharves. To develop the quality of the space, architects placed huge windows and worked with ethereal pillars inside.
Great Market Hall Budapest, 1940. Sturgeon for sale. Photo: Fortepan / Fortepan/Album018
Today, we can buy hungaricums and fish in the basement level. On the ground floor, we can buy fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products. On the first floor, we can find gift shops and catering establishments. Provided there was no epidemic, no one could move there because of the tourists.
Crowd in the Kádár era. Photo: Fortepan / Ferencvárosi Helytörténeti Gyűjtemény
In the beginning, there were stores in the basement together with the three steam boilers and machines providing electricity. Interestingly, before the opening, it burned down. However, the rebuilt roof became much safer due to additional safety elements.
The first director of the Great Market Hall was Nándor Ziegler.
He introduced Spartan rules.
For example, he forbade shouting, swearing, hooting and even wrapping products into newspapers. Furthermore, goods could be delivered into the market hall only during the night. Meanwhile, it stood open between 5-12 am and 4-7 pm. They even had an official market hall gazette containing all the information buyers and sellers needed.
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- 1942. Photo: Fortepan / Morvay Kinga
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- The Great Market Hall in 1937 winter. Photo: Fortepan / Gara Andor
During WWI, all hell broke loose: violence and theft became regular because of the skyrocketing prices. Therefore, sellers created a market guard. In WWII, the building was partly destroyed. Moreover, the Communists focused on swiftness instead of beauty during the reconstruction. Though authorities reopened it in the 1960s, the building became life-threatening by 1991. As a result, it was closed.
Inside the Great Market Hall after the second world war. Photo: Fortepan / Kovács Márton Ernő
Restoration finished by 1994, which marked a new era in the hall’s history. Original covering elements of the Zsolnay manufacture were restored, a new tunnel was built, and the area was increased to 24 thousand m². Machinery was also renewed together with the two facade clocks. They play Kodály’s famous “Én elmentem a vásárba…” song (“I went to the market”).
1979. Photo: Fortepan / Ferencvárosi Helytörténeti Gyűjtemény
Many Historic people visited the Great Market Hall, including German emperor William II, Sigmund Freud, Austrian-Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph I or British PM Margaret Thatcher. CNN Travel chose it the most beautiful market in Europe in 2013. In 2014, The Guardian said it was among the ten most famous markets of the old continent.
Here is a 4K video about the market hall:
Read alsoThe story of Budapest’s Great Market Hall all foreigners adore – PHOTOS
Source: travelo.hu, fortepan.hu
1 Comment
Magnificent – a joy when we regularly shop at the – Great Market Hall.
To me like our 1-2 twice week shopping, its like going to the Theatre.
Locals and Tourists – the colour and movement of people there for reason(s) – just a Delight.
Quality of produce – gives you choose, which Markets traditionally – had in there establishment or DNA – for people from “All Stations in Life”.
We are LOVERS of Market shopping and besides the Great Market Hall somewhat our “Local” – residing in District V – we do share our Love around and in the Markets – besides the Theatre atmosphere – know traders/stalls – that have what we visit them for.
The Great Market Hall – another example why we Love living in Budapest, Hungary and why we should be PROUD – that in our National Capital – we HAVE such a Famous – European Icon – Glorious.
Our thoughts with those stall operators in Hold Market – doors still closed that situations coming summer improve that they are again able to operate – and “other” markets and stall operators, that have been “Harmed & Damaged” by this Noval Virus – that we all continue to have to live in – its presence – in our lives.
Hynyadi Square Market Hall, the beautiful public park opposite in Hynyadi ter, – the restoration in the past 2-4 years to “rise from the ashes” – the market hall and ter – Beautiful.
When we have visitors in summer from overseas – take them to Hynyadi ter to SHOW another delightful part of our National Capital – and of course bit of Market Shopping.
Love our markets – and the THEATRE show – no entry fee through the doors – ALWAYS a great Show.
We are Australian – residents of Hungary for over (4) four years – which may surprise some, the way I write of our love of markets.
Massively different style of shopping than in the “Land down Under” – Australia – which makes for us – a greater enjoyment and pleasure Open Market Shopping – that we embrace/love – in Budapest, Hungary.