Hidden Budapest
-
Szondi utca 64: One of the Greenest Courtyards I have seen in Budapest
This courtyard, one of the greenest I’ve seen in Budapest, is hidden at Szondi utca 64, in the 6th district. The property manager (társasházkezelő) of this house changed a few years ago, leading to many improvements, including this amazing courtyard that you wouldn’t expect hidden behind a crumbling old facade. This house was designed by…
-
Budapest: The Glass-Courtyard Building
The house at Paulay Ede utca 25-27, known as “Üveg-Udvar” or “Glass Courtyard,” was built in 1890 by glass manufacturer Adolf Schwarz. The building housed glass manufacturing workshops on the ground floor, while the upper floors were used for apartments.
-
Sanctuary and Diplomacy: The Building of the Spanish Embassy in Budapest
A wealthy mansion in Budapest, once home to the Hatvany Deutsch family, became the Spanish Embassy in 1922. During WWII, it provided refuge for persecuted Jews, with the Ambassador aiding in saving over 5,200 lives.
-
Király Utca 70: Murder in the Architect’s Apartment
Yesterday, while conducting research in old newspapers about Király utca 70, I came across an article published in the Friss Ujság in 1928 titled “Horrific Robbery Murder on Király Street.” This crime occurred in the apartment of Pál Varsa, an architect who designed a house on Práter utca, a topic I previously posted about on…
-
Csengery utca 80: A Decaying Treasure in Terézváros
Csengery utca 80, an old apartment building dating back to 1890 and designed by Sándor Sterk, is one of those timeless structures that evoke a bygone era. Interestingly, I stumbled upon an old information sheet hanging on the wall, featuring pre-1990 street names such as Lenin körút (Lenin Boulevard, now Teréz and Erzsébet Boulevards), Majakovszkij…
-
Orczy út 27: Jakab Grünfeld’s Distillery
This house, situated at the intersection of Orczy út and Sárkány utca (specifically Orczy út 27), was once owned by the Grünfeld family, renowned for their success in the production and distribution of various alcoholic beverages such as pálinka, rum, and liquors. Jakab Grünfeld, the patriarch, operated a distillery and a tavern on this site.…
-
Frankel Leó út 49 : The Hidden Synagogue
The Frankel Leó Synagogue, also known as the Újlaki Synagogue, is tucked away in a courtyard in Budapest’s 2nd district. Designed by Sándor Fellner, it was originally surrounded by small houses and shops. The adjacent apartment building was constructed later, in 1928, and became home to members of the local Jewish community. In the early…
-
Bem rakpart 54-55 and Károly Haggenmacher : From Swiss Roots to Budapest’s Heart
This apartment house located at Bem rakpart 54-55, in the 2nd district of Budapest, boasts a rich history dating back to 1899. Designed by the renowned architect Sándor Hauszmann for András Holtzspach, the building later became the property of Károly Haggenmacher, a key figure in Budapest’s development. Károly was the brother of Henrik Haggenmacher and…
-
Fő utca 4 : A Residential House built for the former “Buda Commercial and Industrial Bank”
The foyer of Fő utca 4 maintains its beauty despite the evident signs of decay. Erected in 1872, this neorenaissance structure was originally built for the “Buda Commercial and Industrial Bank” (Budai Kereskedelmi és Iparbank) and designed by Imre Steindl, the same architect behind the Hungarian Parliament Building. In my photograph, if you shift your…
-
Pálya utca 15 : Traces of War from 1945
The old walls of Pálya utca 15 in Budapest’s 1st district hold memories of intense battles in 1945, with a huge number of bullet holes. I visited this site multiple times and took the photos I’m sharing with you just yesterday. Luckily, I found articles detailing the historical events linked to this house. It’s essential…
Buildings Tell Tales 