It is planned to reinstate the statues that have previously stood on the St. George's Square, giving them a worthy and permanent home.Continue reading
The National Hauszmann Program for the reconstruction of the Palace District has reached another stage, the Government Information Center announced in a press release. After the Castle Garden Bazaar, the Guard House, the Royal Riding Hall, St. Stephen’s Hall, and the Carmelite Monastery, additional buildings have been restored to their original beauty.
Next to the Matthias Church, the reconstruction of the former Royal Hungarian Ministry of Finance is finally complete, and the Ministry of the Interior has moved in. The more than 120-year-old building, one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest, can be found on Szentháromság (Holy Trinity) Square.
The neo-Gothic palace stood mutilated for decades until its recent renovation, after being hit by several bombs during the Second World War and deliberately remodeled during the communist era.
Former seat of the Ministry of Finance. Photo: Wikipedia
On Dísz Square, the former Red Cross headquarters has been completely rebuilt, and will be occupied by the Prime Minister’s Office in February. The building, designed by Alajos Hauszmann, housed the Royal Foreign Ministry of Hungary from 1920. The original building was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, therefore it had to be rebuilt from scratch.
The press release pointed out that the reconstruction of Buda Castle does not stop here, with intensive renovation work currently underway in several locations. Buda Castle will be completely renewed, and the reconstruction of Archduke Joseph’s Palace, which will house the Constitutional Court, and the former Defense Headquarters, where the Military History Institute and Museum will move, are also at an impressive stage.
A recent social media post of the program shows that Archduke Joseph’s Palace, which has been in ruins for decades, is now reborn at its original height.
Workers are already putting the finishing touches on the building: they are putting up the façade elements and finalizing the roof.
The reconstruction of Buda Castle will be accompanied by the renewal of the surrounding gardens, battlements, promenades, and parks.
In 2026, an exhibition on the history of the palace is planned to open in the northern wing of the Castle. The reconstruction will have a significant impact on tourism and cultural life in Budapest, as the buildings that have been renovated so far are not only architectural landmarks, but also popular cultural venues, the release noted.
Via MTI, Featured image: Pixabay