Courtyards
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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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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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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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Bécsikapu tér 8 : Eszterházy-house
Back in March-April 2022, I had the chance to explore the majority of residential buildings on Castle Hill in Budapest. One of my favorites is the “Eszterházy-ház,” situated on Bécsikapu tér. Constructed in the 18th century, this building has undergone several modifications over the years. Much like many structures in the Castle District, it suffered…
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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…
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Orlay utca 2b : István Medgyaszay’s Masterwork in a small street of Buda
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,…
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The Forgotten Jazz Singer : Tibor Weygand’s Budapest Residence
This charming apartment house, constructed in 1931-32 by architect Tibor Hübner, is situated on Tas Vezér utca in the 11th district of Budapest. Our visit to this building was prompted by its association with Tibor Weygand, who resided here after World War II. While his name may not be widely recognized today, even in Hungary,…
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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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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…
Buildings Tell Tales 