Classical Architecture
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From Ceramics to Mathematics: The Story of Vámház körút 5
Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to revisit Vámház körút 5 several times. This beautiful 19th-century apartment house, located in Ferencváros, the 9th district of Budapest, welcomes its visitors with the Latin word “SALVE” which can be read on the floor before entering the staircase. Behind a recently renovated facade, you…
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Andrássy út 2: the Foncière-palace
At the corner of Andrássy út and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út stands the “Foncière-palota.” Adolf Feszty, a prominent architect in 19th century Budapest, designed the building in 1882 for the French Foncière Insurance company. Feszty, known for his contributions to the city’s architectural landscape, also designed the Haris-bazár (since demolished) and several mansions along the then-developing Sugár…
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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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Balázs Béla utca 27/b : A Vanishing Old House in Budapest’s 9th District
Back in January 2022, I posted on my Facebook page about an old building located at Balázs Béla utca 27./b in Budapest’s 9th district. At the time, I was curious about the fate of this apartment house, given the recent demolition of many old buildings in this deprived area of Budapest. In June of the…
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József utca 3: The House of the Hungarian Association for Disabled and Retired Workers
József utca 3 is an apartment house located in the 8th district, originally built for the Hungarian Association for Disabled and Retired Workers, established in Budapest in 1893. This building, inaugurated in 1905, was constructed for the “Hungarian Association for Disabled and Retired Workers” (Magyarországi Munkások Rokkant és Nyugdíj Egylete), according to the plans of…
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Kossuth Lajos utca 4 : The Dreher-Palace
A few years ago, I used to enjoy drinking beer in summer before gradually switching to ‘fröccs’, a mix of soda water and white wine. Among the mass-produced Hungarian beers, my favorite was Dreher, especially their dark beer called ‘Bak’ But why am I writing about my taste for beer? Because this beautiful building known…
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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…
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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…
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Attila út 87: Count Domonkos Teleki’s home in Budapest
This building was designed by architect Károly Möller and constructed in 1929 for Count Domokos Teleki. Situated on Attila út in Budapest’s 1st district, it holds historical significance. The Teleki family, belonging to the highest aristocracy in Transylvania and Hungary, had their main residence in the castle of Gernyeszeg (now Gorneşti in Romania). Unfortunately, the…
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Donáti utca 15 – Abandoned Old House on the Castle Hill
If you visit Castle Hill (Várhegy) in Buda, you’ll notice construction cranes busy rebuilding structures damaged during the war. The area has undergone significant changes. I lived on Úri utca in 2013-14, and some buildings I saw daily were demolished. Bullet-ridden facades were repaired, erasing signs of past conflicts. Yet, a few old houses remain…
Buildings Tell Tales 