A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting the Ambassador of Spain, who graciously invited me to visit and photograph inside the Embassy located at Eötvös utca 11b in Terézváros. This mansion was acquired by the Government of Spain in 1921 and has served as a diplomatic representation ever since, with the exception of a three-decade period following the severance of relations with Francoist Spain (Budapest recognized the Republican government as the sole legitimate government of Spain in 1946).

But let’s rewind to 1880 when this palace, designed by Gyula Bukovics, was built for the Hatvany Deutsch family. This affluent Jewish family owned, among other assets, a significant sugar factory in Hatvan. In 1879, József Deutsch received permission from the Kaiser to append the town’s name to his surname (in Hungarian naming conventions, the “y” at the end of a surname typically indicates nobility, akin to “de” or “von”). In 1908, József’s son, Sándor, was granted the title of baron by Franz Joseph I. Sándor passed away in 1913. His sons, Lajos and Ferenc, did not reside in the mansion, and as previously mentioned, the property was eventually sold. Interestingly, Ferenc Hatvany possessed Hungary’s most valuable art collection, which included works by Tintoretto, Cézanne, Renoir, Ingres, and Courbet (notably L’Origine du monde). Some of these paintings may have adorned the walls of Eötvös utca 11/b before being transferred to Ferenc’s villa in Buda.

The Spanish Embassy commenced its operations at this location in 1922. In 1944, Madrid recalled its ambassador, and Ángel Sanz-Briz, the first secretary of the Embassy, assumed the role of chargé d’affaires. Witnessing the persecution of Jews in Hungary, he was authorized to issue Spanish passports to 200 Jews of Spanish descent. In collaboration with Raoul Wallenberg and Giorgio Perlasca, he sheltered individuals within the Embassy premises and in various apartments and houses that he rented at his own expense. Ángel Sanz-Briz is credited with saving more than 5,200 Jews.