Old Signs
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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…
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Kartács utca 13 : A Hidden Treasure in Angyalföld
I explored this house located at Kartács utca 13 for the first time in April 2022 and revisited it in December 2023. I don’t often venture into this part of Budapest, but this house is evidence that I should do so more frequently! Conducting a brief investigation into its history, I uncovered some interesting (and…
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My Collection of Old Photos
For a long time, my Saturdays kicked off at 4 am. I’d travel for about 2 hours to reach Bakancsos utca in the 17th district, home to my favorite flea market. There, I’d spend the morning hunting for old photos, especially ones of old buildings or Budapest street scenes. The “Bakancsos Piac” (Bakancsos Flea Market)…
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Old Street Name and House number Plates
Street name and house number plates serve as fascinating guardians of Budapest’s eventful history. The city has undergone numerous regime changes, leading to the renaming of streets multiple times. However, plates retaining the old street names can still be found. Many plates showcase the old spelling of the Hungarian word for ‘street,’ written as ‘ucca’…
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Air Raid Shelter Signs in Budapest
Similar to the bullet holes and inscriptions left by Soviet soldiers clearing buildings of explosives in 1945, signs indicating the presence of shelters also serve as intriguing memories of the conflicts Budapest had to endure in its history. Shelters, whether independently built bunkers or reinforced basements, were constructed in great numbers starting in 1938 to…
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1945 “Mine Cleared” Inscription in Budapest
The Battle of Budapest, one of the longest and bloodiest sieges of WWII, endured for 102 days. It commenced with the initial sighting of a Soviet tank and concluded with the capture of Buda Castle on 13 February 1945. These tragic events have left enduring marks on Budapest’s walls, such as signs indicating the presence…
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Ghost Signs and Vintage Signs in Budapest
According to an article published in The Guardian, ‘ghost signs’ are typically hand-painted advertising signs or old shop signs from the late 19th or early to mid-20th centuries preserved on buildings that have since changed use. To be precise and adhere to this definition, I have also included ‘vintage signs’ in the title of this…
Buildings Tell Tales 