The renovation of Hungary’s and Budapest’s emblematic Buda Palace, the seat of the Hungarian Monarchs, has started recently. Furthermore, Várkapitányság, the state-owned company operating the Buda Palace, shared some breathtaking visuals of how the palace will look when the renovation work is completed.
According to pestbuda.hu, the Neo-Baroque palace was built between 1890 and 1905 by extending the previous palace building. However, the American air raids and the Soviet siege of Budapest in 1944-45 destroyed it almost entirely. After the war, the Communist regime rebuilt a simplified, cheaper version of the pre-WWII buildings serving the seat of the governor of Hungary, Miklós Horthy, between 1920 and 1944.
Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
The Várkapitányság, a state-owned company responsible for managing and rebuilding the Buda Castle district, shared the visuals of the renewed Buda Palace. We have to say that the building will look astonishing when completed. Company officials announced the start of the reconstruction on 19 December, at a press conference. The work began with the scaffolding of the palace’s north wing.
The North wing reception building. Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
Krisztina Sikota, the deputy CEO responsible for tourism, culture and communications at the Várkapitányság, said that the palace wing near the Szent György Square would be the reception building. From there, visitors may reach the marvellous banquet halls running parallel to the River Danube.
Furthermore, they will rebuild the Ball Hall, the buffet gallery, the Habsburg Hall and the throne room. The Neo-Rococo style throne room will be re-established following its original outlook.
The Ball Hall. Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogramThe Throne Room. Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogramThe Habsburg Hall. The frescoes were made by Károly Lotz. Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
Várkapitányság said the reconstruction work started after a long preparatory phase. Years ago, they restored Saint Stephen Hall and experts carried out the entire technical, architectural, artistic and functional measurement of the palace. As a result, now they can restore the buildings entirely, Mrs Sikota said.
The buffet gallery. Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
She added that the planning had several challenges. They used photos and other documents for the reconstruction. However, Robert Gutowski, the leading architect of the reconstruction, highlighted that the new building would have to meet all the technical requirements of the modern era. Therefore, they will use 21st-century technologies and quality but re-establish the 1905 grandeur and character.
In the visitor’s centre, everybody can check out the visuals of the renewed Buda Palace. There is even a 3D miniature. Here are some photos:
Mr Gutowski said that there were more than 100,000 documents supporting the experts’ views and findings. Mrs Sikota said they would like to recreate the buildings of the Buda Castle with the help of the National Hauszmann Program. Furthermore, they would like to fill them with colourful programmes. For example, in the visitor’s centre, people will not only be able to get information about the reconstruction work, but they may also buy tickets to the programmes.
They added that the number of visitors attending the programmes of the Buda Castle reached pre-pandemic levels. For instance, the number of guests in Saint Stephen Hall was 110,000 in the last 18 months. That is why they plan to increase service quality. They created additional toilets, parks, walkways, elevators and drinking wells.
The renewed Buda Castle with the emblematic Chain Bridge. Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
Photo: facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
In 2023, construction work will continue in DÃsz Square (near the Matthias Church) and Szent György Square. She added that projects like rebuilding the Red Cross headquarters, the Headquarters of Hungarian Defense Forces, and Archduke Joseph’s Palace showed adequate progress.
Just wish I could afford a loaf of bread. But kings will be kings.
The first thing they should rebuild is the Hungarian Defense Force itself.
A shame in 2022, we need hospitals and heating in the university. Orban and its delirium.
Credit to one of the greatest leaders that Europe ever had, Mr Viktor Orban, and his government. Many people don’t seem to realise or even appreciate just how any improvement to the image of what is already one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Budapest, increases tourism, which in turn increases workforce and infrastructure requirements, great for Hungary, just as much as for tourism. Congratulations Mr Orban, your are a great credit to Hungary, keep up your excellent work!
I sincerely hope the buildings owners include Disabled access to this Stunning Castle.
As an English person,
I love Hungary.
But Hungary certainly doesn’t seem to be Disabled or having a pram with a baby in it , friendly.
You only have to look at the metro to see there are only steps up and down them,
This excludes a large number of people being able to use certain places for
Visitors to the country or Hungarian citizens.
It’s one thing I think this lovely country needs,
More thought to Disabled people or mothers with prams especially bars, cafes, restaurants, travel etc.
This could be costing businesses a lot of money by excluding these people, in a time of financial troubles.
Just wish I could afford a loaf of bread. But kings will be kings.
The first thing they should rebuild is the Hungarian Defense Force itself.
A shame in 2022, we need hospitals and heating in the university. Orban and its delirium.
Credit to one of the greatest leaders that Europe ever had, Mr Viktor Orban, and his government. Many people don’t seem to realise or even appreciate just how any improvement to the image of what is already one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Budapest, increases tourism, which in turn increases workforce and infrastructure requirements, great for Hungary, just as much as for tourism. Congratulations Mr Orban, your are a great credit to Hungary, keep up your excellent work!
I sincerely hope the buildings owners include Disabled access to this Stunning Castle.
As an English person,
I love Hungary.
But Hungary certainly doesn’t seem to be Disabled or having a pram with a baby in it , friendly.
You only have to look at the metro to see there are only steps up and down them,
This excludes a large number of people being able to use certain places for
Visitors to the country or Hungarian citizens.
It’s one thing I think this lovely country needs,
More thought to Disabled people or mothers with prams especially bars, cafes, restaurants, travel etc.
This could be costing businesses a lot of money by excluding these people, in a time of financial troubles.