The Hungarian destination is very popular among travelers.Continue reading
The National Hauszmann Program progresses with the ongoing restoration of the Royal Palace in the Buda Castle following the inauguration of St. Stephen’s Hall on 20 August 2021.
At the turn of the 20th century, the new northern wing of the Royal Palace by architect Alajos Hauszmann, showcased stunning neo-Baroque interiors and Art Nouveau exterior that rivaled Vienna’s Hofburg Palace.
Visual plan of the Buffet-gallery. Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
The palace gained renown for its extensive enfilade halls,
the second-longest in Europe after the Palace of Versailles.
The covered courtyard served as the arrival and departure point for guests’ carriages, connecting to the south gate of the north wing. Access to the grand ballroom, the capital’s largest at over 600 square meters, was through the cloakroom on the Danube side and the Munkácsy entrance hall.
Original photo of the Buffet-gallery. Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
The west side of the north wing housed the ballroom, while the Danube side featured the Banqueting Hall of the Buffet Gallery, spanning over 500 square meters and hosting dining and receptions for ballroom guests. The Buffet Gallery’s colonnaded terrace provided an unparalleled view of the Danube and Pest side.
Notably, glazed pavilions on the terrace covered spiral staircases connecting the ground floor kitchens to the first floor.
Electric dumbwaiters further facilitated the waitstaff’s work.
The glazed pavilion (between the columns). Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Hauszmann engaged renowned contractors and artists to intricately design the interiors. The west side wall of the hall featured two large tapestries depicting Buda’s reconquest, chosen from Vienna’s imperial collection and woven by Charles Mité around 1710. The ceiling panels housed tempera paintings by the acclaimed painter Árpád Feszty.
Visual plan of the Buffet-gallery. Photo: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Despite severe damage during World War II bombings and the ensuing fire, the Buffet Gallery’s restoration, stripped of decorative elements during the communist era, is a focal point of the National Hauszmann Program. This ambitious initiative aims to resurrect the fabulous halls to its original splendor, preserving its architectural and artistic heritage for future generations.
Via Infostart; Featured Image: Facebook / Nemzeti Hauszmann Program