Szentkirályi utca 32/b is one of my favorite buildings in Budapest’s 8th district. The old walls, marked with bullet holes, evoke a sense that time ceased to progress many years ago. Surprisingly, the street-facing facade has been completely renovated, concealing the decay behind the gate. Originally, Szentkirályi utca 32/b and 32/a were part of the same property, although 32/a now belongs to the University of Theatre and Film Arts. The special ambiance of the building has caught the attention of filmmakers, who have used it as a backdrop for various films. One notable example is “Budapest Noir,” based on a story by Vilmos Kondor set in 1936.

This building holds a rich history, having been owned by noble families. It was initially the property of the Zichy family and later passed into the hands of the Károlyi family. The walls retain the memory of captivating stories, possibly as intriguing as the films shot here. For instance, Count Zsigmond Széchenyi, a renowned adventurer who explored the world alongside his English wife, Stella Crowther, lived here for a while. During the early 1930s, Szentkirályi utca 32/b served as the headquarters for the Hungarian National Fascist Party, a marginal group that attempted to imitate the Nazis but failed to gain traction. This party was led by two military commanders, Pál Prónay and Gyula Ostenburg, who were involved in various crimes during the White Terror. Additionally, the Hungarian Nippon Society (Magyar–Nippon Társaság), which played a prominent role in cultural and political relations between Japan and Hungary, operated from this location until its dissolution in 1945.