Buildings Tell Tales
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Budapest : Tales from the Danube Riverside
This beautiful apartment house facing the Danube is located on Belgrád rakpart. The inhabitants have placed tables and chairs in its spacious staircase, and if I were to live here, I would definitely drink my morning coffee in this charming space! This house was designed by two architects, Ambrus Orth and Emil Somló; it was…
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The Historical Elevator of Semmelweis utca 4
On an evening in December 2023, I rushed after work to a gallery located at Semmelweis utca 4 to attend the opening of an exhibition featuring Benjamin Makovecz’s photos taken in Budapest in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Since the gate of the house was open, I could not resist taking a look inside…
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The Beautiful Courtyard of Havas utca 2
I love the courtyard of a late 19th-century apartment house located at Havas utca 2 in the 5th district of Budapest. The architect is unknown, and the house was completed in 1896. In 1960, a floor was added to the house, which is why the 5th floor looks different from the others. This house is…
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Persephone’s Statue in the Szemerédy-house : A Hidden Gem at Apáczai Csere utca 3
A few years ago, I discovered this delightful statue of Persephone in the “Szemerédy-ház” located at Apáczai Csere utca 3, in the 5th district of Budapest. This house, built in 1811, was commissioned by András Szemerédy, a judge, and constructed by József Hofrichter, who was quite renowned. Among his notable works are the Calvin Square…
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Two Tales on Falk Miksa Utca 13: An Actress’ Life-Saving Acts and a Chilling Murder
Taking a photo of the breathtaking entrance of Falk Miksa utca 13 is more difficult than one would think. Most of the time, there are many bins next to the door, so I had to wait for a trash collection day and manage to sneak in early in the morning! This Art Nouveau building was…
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Dózsa György út 138-142 : Social Housing Project from the Early 20th Century
This expansive apartment house, located in the 13th district at Dózsa György út 138-142, was designed by Béla Rerrich and constructed in 1911-1912 as part of a housing development plan initiated by Mayor István Bárczy. Between 1909 and 1912, over 20 such large apartment houses were erected across Budapest, a response to the rapidly expanding…
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Door Knockers Will Remain Silent: Üteg utca’s Vanished Building
On a rainy day in April 2021, while en route to get my Covid-19 vaccine at Honvéd Hospital, I noticed the door of Üteg utca was open. Intrigued, I entered to capture a few photos. Despite not frequenting this area often, with its hidden gems like Kartács utca 13, I returned only in 2023. To…
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Kartács utca 13 : A Hidden Treasure in Angyalföld
I explored this house located at Kartács utca 13 for the first time in April 2022 and revisited it in December 2023. I don’t often venture into this part of Budapest, but this house is evidence that I should do so more frequently! Conducting a brief investigation into its history, I uncovered some interesting (and…
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Katona József utca 2d : Modernist Architecture in the 13th district of Budapest
This fine example of Hungarian modernist architecture from the early 1940s is located at Katona József utca 4/D, in the 13th district of Budapest. Designed by György Kudelka and Gábor Simó, the building was constructed in 1942. In 1944, it became a yellow-star house, serving as a compulsory residence for Jews in Budapest who were…
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Hegedűs Gyula utca 3: The House with a Synagogue on the Ground Floor
Designed by Béla Vajda and constructed in 1911, this apartment house has a unique feature: a synagogue is located on the ground floor. It is one of the several synagogues which were built within residential buildings including the former Jewish praying house on Káldy utca, the synagogue at Frankel Leó út 49, Dessewfy utca 23…
Buildings Tell Tales 