Terézváros
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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…
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Hajós utca 41: “Tlach und Keil” & “Finger és Fia”
Those of you who regularly read my website or Facebook posts have probably noticed that most of the photos I share depict decaying buildings. This is because I find beauty in the passage of time, particularly evident in the worn facades and crumbling walls that tell stories of bygone eras. Moreover, I believe it’s essential…
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Szondi utca 75 : Decaying Art Nouveau Architecture in Terézváros
Situated just a stone’s throw away from the renowned Sonnenberg-ház at Munkácsy Mihály utca 23, Szondi utca 75 stands as another remarkable testament to Art Nouveau architecture in Budapest, both buildings were designed by the same architect, Albert Kálmán Kőrössy. Built in 1906, this building was once home to Vilmos Nagybaczoni Nagy, a high-ranking officer…
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The Service Stairs of Teréz Körút 9, Budapest
Teréz körút 9, an old apartment building constructed in 1887, is believed to have been designed by Sebestyén Messner and Rezső Arndt for Emil Lyka. One intriguing story from my research on the house’s history revolves around a burglar named Károly Ferencz. In October 1930, he targeted an office within Teréz körút 9. Surprisingly, on…
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Aradi utca 57 : the Art Nouveau “Platschek-House”
The “Platschek-House” is an Art Nouveau residential building located at Aradi utca 57 in the 6th district of Budapest. It was designed by the Löffler brothers, Béla and Sándor, and built in 1908 for Vilmos Platschek, the wealthy owner of a garment factory employing 250 people, with a store on Károly körút where the clothing…
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Hajós utca 31: From Coffee Aromas to Tragic Falls
Situated near the Opera, Hajós utca 31 is an apartment house built in 1905, its architect remaining unknown. In the early 1910s, the pleasant aroma of coffee likely filled the building, emanating from a coffee shop owned by István Ambrus. On January 6, 1910, the National Israelite Patronage Association (Országos Izraelita Patronage Egyesület) was established,…
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The Abandoned Sanatorium of Benczúr Utca
This deteriorating building, located at Benczúr utca 4 in the 6th district of Budapest, was designed by Géza Markus, known for creating the Art Nouveau “Cifrapalota” in Kecskemét and the Schöpf-Merei hospital (which is also currently abandoned) in the 9th district of Budapest. Despite being the work of a famous architect, there is very little…
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The Rebirth of an Art Nouveau Gem in Budapest
On the afternoon of February 21, 2024, I visited Munkácsy Mihály utca 23 to capture some photos of the beautiful entrance of this Art Nouveau house. As soon as I set up my tripod and camera, a very kind man approached and invited me to take a look inside the house. It’s a building I’ve…
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The Budapest of the early 1980s through the lens of Benjamin Makovecz
A few years ago, I used to wake up early to explore Budapest’s flea markets, searching for vintage photos. I donated most of my discoveries to Fortepan, a copyright-free and community-based photo archive. One day, amidst my treasure hunt at Bakancsos flea market, I stumbled upon a collection of captivating black and white prints showcasing…
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Nagymező utca 18 : The House of the Duna Insurance Company
Upon entering Nagymező utca 18, an apartment house located at the corner of Nagymező utca and Andrássy Avenue in the 6th district of Budapest, you will notice a large iron “D” that reflects the building’s history. The ironwork of this building preserves the memory of the Duna Insurance Company, which had its headquarters here. The…
Buildings Tell Tales 