When I entered the building located at Szív utca 66, I was immediately struck by both its beauty and its deplorable state. After researching its past, I was surprised to discover that these crumbling walls, covered with graffiti, were originally designed by Lipót Baumhorn, the most influential Hungarian synagogue architect of the 20th century. Baumhorn designed approximately 20 synagogues in Hungary and neighboring countries. In Budapest, he designed the Arena Synagogue on Dózsa György út and the Páva street synagogue. He also designed a few apartment buildings, including this one, which was built in 1898. I will post more photos of the beautiful staircase tomorrow and try to find some interesting stories about this building’s past.

During my research, I found a beautiful article written by Sándor Illés, a Hungarian journalist born in Temerin. It was published in the Képes 7 magazine in October 1989. Sándor Illés’ grandmother rented a room in this house so she could be closer to her son, who was treated in a hospital for injuries he suffered during WW1. Although Sándor never lived here, he heard many stories from his dad and grandma, and this house held a special place in his heart. I have translated an extract about this very house:

“In the evening, when everything became quiet around me, and my guests fell asleep from exhaustion, I ran out into the street with an old city map in my hand and set off to find Szív utca. I walked through the night with my heart beating faster and faster and stopped in front of a house. This house was never a recognized historic building; it was a decrepit and decaying apartment building at Szív utca 66. Yet, I walked up to its closed gate and caressed the doorknob.

Since then, I have become a resident of Budapest, and when I feel sorrow or sadness, I always go to Szív utca. It’s like going home; it is where I go when I need solace or reconciliation. I linger for several minutes in front of the building and slowly calm down. I travel back to the gold-dusted fairy world of my childhood. At such times, I feel as if I am at home in that old courtyard under the pear tree.“