At the end of the 17th century much of the Pest Area Budapest was in ruins and few residents remained. But within the next few decades new residential districts appeared, which are today’s mid-town suburbs. In the 19th century, redevelopment schemes introduced grand houses and apartment blocks, some with shops and cafe’s, as well as secular and municipal buildings.
The most prominent example of this work is the Hungarian National Museum. The Pest Area Budapest surpassed Buda as a center for trade and industry. This was partly due to the area’s Jewish community, who played an active role in its development.
The Pest County Hall, built in several stages, is one of Pest’s most beautiful. monumental Neo-Classical civic buildings. Erected during the 19th century, it was part of the plan for the city drawn up by the Embellishment Commission.
A seat of the Council of Pest has existed on this site since the end of the 17th century. By 1811, the building included two conference halls, a prison, and a chapel. In 1829-1832, a wing designed by József Hofrichter was added on Semmeweis ucta, used to accommodate council employees. Another redevelopment program started in 1838, this time employing designs by Mátyás Zitterbarth Jr.
He was an exponent of Neo-Classical architecture. Completed in 1842, it included an impressive facade, which overlooks Városház ucta. This features a portico with six Corinthian columns supporting a prominent tympanum.
Pest County Hall was destroyed and rebuilt
In the course of World War II Pest County Hall was destroyed. During postwar rebuilding it enlarged, adding three internal courtyards, the first surrounded by atmospheric cloisters. Due to the excellent acoustics, concerts are often held here during the summer.
Between Pest County Hall and the Municipal Council Offices building, in the small Kamermayer Károly tér, there is a monument to the first mayor of Budapest. Károly Kamermayer (1829-1897) took office in 1873, after the unification of Óbuda, Buda, and Pest. Béla Szabados designed the aluminium monument.
| Address | Városház utca 7, Central Pest Area Budapest |
| Metro | Ferenciek tere |
The building of the Turkish Bank dates from 1906 and is a design by Henrik Böhm and Ármin Hegedüs. It housed the Turkish Bank and is a wonderful example of the Secession style. The exterior used modern construction methods to create the glass facade, set in reinforced concrete.
Above the fenestration, in the gable, is a magnificent colorful mosaic by Miksa Róth. Entitled Glory to Hungary. It depicts Hungary paying homage to the Virgin Mary or Patrona Hungariae. Angels and shepherds surround the Hungarian political heroes, such as Prince Ferenc Rákóczi, István Széchenyi and Lajos Kossuth.
| Address | Szervita tér 3, Central Pest Area Budapest |
Serbs settled in the now largely residential area around the Serbian Church as early as the 16th century. The end of the 17th century brought a new wave of Serb immigrants, and by the early 19th century Serbs comprised almost 25% of Pest’s home-owners. In 1698, the Serb community replaced an earlier church on the site with this Baroque one.
Architecture of the Serbian Church
The church gained its last appearance after a rebuilding project that lasted until the mid-18th century, which was probably undertaken by András Meyerhoffer. Arrangement of the interior of the church is according to Greek Orthodox practice. A part of the nave, entered from the vestibule, is for woman only.
The area divides from the men’s section by a partition, and the division is further emphasized by the 30 centimeters lowered floor. An iconostasis encloses the choir gallery and divides it from the sanctuary. The iconostasis dates from around 1850. Carving is by the Serb sculptor Miahai Janich and the Italian Renaissance-influenced paintings are the work of the Greek artist Károly Sterio.
| Address | Szerb utca 2-4, Central Pest Area Budapest |
Mihály Pollack designed the Neo-Classical Lutheran Church, built between 1799 and 1808. József Hild added a portico, which features a tympanum supported by Doric columns to the façade in 1856. The church’s simplicity is typical of early Neo-Classicism.
It also reflects the notion of minimal church decoration, which was upheld by this branch of Protestantism. Above the modest main altar is a copy of Raphael’s Transfiguration by Franz Sales Lochbihler, made in 1811. Organ recitals are often held in the church. which has excellent acoustics. Another Neo-Classical building by Mihály Pollack adjoined the church.
Constructed as a Lutheran school, it’s now the National Lutheran Museum. This museum illustrates the history of the Reformation in Hungary, with the most interesting pieces on show being a copy of Martin Luther’s testament. The original document, dating from 1542, is held in the Lutheran Archives.
| Address | Deák tér 4, Central Pest Area Budapest |
The single-nave University Church is one of the most impressive Baroque churches in Budapest. It was built for the Pauline Order in 1725 – 1742, and was probably designed by András Meyerhoffer. Its tower emerged in 1771. The Pauline Order, founded in 1263 by Canon Euzebiusz, was the only religious order to be founded in Hungary.
The magnificent exterior features a tympanum and a row of pilasters that divide the facade. Figures of St. Paul and St. Anthony flank the emblem of the Pauline Order, which crowns the exterior.
Inside the University Church
Inside the church, a row of side chapels stand behind unusual marble pilasters. In 1776 Johann Bergl painted the vaulted ceiling with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Mary. The main altar dates from 1746, and the carved statues behind it are the work of Jószef Hebenstreit.
Above it is a copy of the painting The Black Madonna of Czestochowa, which probably is from 1720. Much of the Baroque interior detail of the church is the work of the Pauline monks, such as the balustrade of the organ loft, the confessionals, and the carved pulpit on the right.
| Address | Papnövelde utca 9, Central Pest Area Budapest |
The New York Palace (built between 1890 and 1895) is a design by the architect Alajos Hauszmann. It were initially the offices of an American insurance firm. This five-floor edifice displays an eclectic mix of Neo-Baroque and Secession motifs. The decorative sculptures that animate the facade are the work of Károly Senyei.
On the ground floor is the renowned New York Café. The beautiful, richly gilded Neo-Baroque interior, with its chandeliers and marble pillars, now attracts tourists, just as it once attracted the literary and artistic circles in its heyday. Following refurbishment, the hotel reopened in 2006 with 107 rooms.
| Address | Erzsébet krt. 9, Central Pest Area Budapest |
The Hungarian National Museum is the country’s richest source of art and artifacts on its own turbulent history. Founded in 1802, the museum owes its existence to Count Ferenc Széchényi, who offered his collection of coins, books, and documents to the nation. The museum’s constantly expanding collection of art and documents are on exhibition in an impressive Neo-Classical edifice built by Mihály Pollack.
The steps of the Hungarian National Museum were the scene of a major event in Hungary’s history. It was from these steps that, in 1848, the poet Sándor Petöfi first read his National Song, which sparked the uprising against Habsburg rule.
Museum building
Built between 1837-1847, according to a design by Mihály Pollack, this imposing Neo-Classical building is one of the finest manifestations of that architectural epoch. The facade has a monumental portico, which has crowned tympanum designed by Raffael Ponti.
The composition depicts the figure of Pannonia among personifications of the arts and sciences. In the garden surrounding the museum there are some statues.
These are of prominent figures from the spheres of literature, science and art. A monument to the poet János Arany, author of the Toldi Trilogy, stands in front of the main entrance. This bronze and limestone work dates from 1893 and is by Alajos Stróbl. The notable features of the interior include the magnificent paintings by Mót Than and Károly Lotz in the main staircase.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Budapest
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