
While exploring Budapest’s 2nd district last October, I came across a captivating villa on Nyúl utca. Constructed between 1904 and 1905, it boasts a rich history. Originally designed by architect Zsigmond Popper as a summer residence for paper merchant Izidor Loebl and his wife, the villa prioritized comfort for a relaxing getaway. The well-appointed interior…

Kőbánya, Budapest’s 10th district, is often overlooked by tourists. However, this industrial area boasts some hidden treasures that make a visit worthwhile. Explore the exquisite Saint Ladislaus Church, an architectural masterpiece by Ödön Lechner, an intriguing Art Deco Evangelical church, or the vibrant Chinese district offering authentic cuisine. Additionally, Kőbánya reveals stunning Art Nouveau buildings,…

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…

This Art Nouveau facade can be found at 11 Mária utca, a narrow street in Budapest’s 8th district. Designed by Mihály Jesovits and built in 1906, the facade, featuring artists’ studios on an additional floor, complements the original 1872 building by Bódog Buzzi. Bódog Buzzi, originally Felix Buzzi from Moravia with an Italian father, settled…

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,…

In January 2024, we held with our association an exhibition at Kelet Café, showcasing photos of buildings captured by Benjamin Makovecz in the late 70s and early 80s, alongside their current views. My favorite was a shot taken inside Orlay utca 2/b, a building constructed in 1909-1910 and designed by István Medgyaszay. Despite many attempts,…

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…

The Art Nouveau ‘Műteremház’ (or ‘Atelier House’) is building designed by Gyula Kosztolányi-Kann and completed in 1903. Located at Kelenhegyi út 12-14 in the 11th district of Budapest, this house was initially used solely as an art studio, and the living spaces were separated from the studios after the war. Typically, galleries were established within…

An early morning in December, I was photographing the abandoned Schöpf-Merei hospital on Bakáts tér when an elderly man approached me. He shared that he used to work as an architect and was delighted to see someone appreciating the beauty of old buildings and documenting them. He then asked if he could take a photo…

A few photos I took in the enchanting Honvéd utca 3 showcase an Art Nouveau gem designed by Emil Vidor for Béla Bedő in 1903. Béla, a wealthy factory owner, resided there until his passing in 1916. Following his death, his son Rudolf inherited 50% of the property. In addition to his success in business,…