Wealthiest Hungarian Demolishes Buda Royal Palace Wing
The National Hauszmann Programme, a government-funded scheme, is working towards rebuilding and renovating the buildings in the Buda Castle District that were destroyed during the WWII siege or deteriorated between 1945 and 2010. However, concerns have been raised by Ákos Hadházy, a non-aligned lawmaker of the Hungarian Parliament, about the reconstruction of the Buda Royal Palace by Lőrinc Mészáros’s Fejér BÁL Ltd.
The Soviet siege of Budapest during WWII left a significant impact on the city, including the Royal Palace where Governor Horthy and his family resided. Due to a lack of funds in the Communist regime, the reconstruction of the Buda Castle District, including the Royal Palace, was done in a minimalist design following the 1944-1948 transition period.
To restore the original beauty and glory of the Buda Castle District, the Hungarian government launched the National Hauszmann Programme. This program aims to restore the district to its late 19th century-early 20th-century layout, including rebuilding sections of the Royal Palace, Archduke Joseph’s Palace, and the Defence Headquarters.
Ákos Hadházy brought attention to the fact that Fejér BÁL Ltd. demolished almost the entire northern wing of the Buda Royal Palace, leaving only one wall standing. The company plans to rebuild the section using reinforced concrete, citing that the original wall by Alajos Hauszmann was the only part that remained from the building’s original design.
The financial details of the project remain unclear as the government has designated it a top-priority investment for the national economy, keeping the budget confidential. The National Hauszmann Programme has stated on Facebook that they will support the remaining wall with a steel structure during the renovation and address asbestos in the roof of the building.
Plans for the reconstruction include reinstating the original northern main entrance gate and reconstructing the Hungária sculpture above it. Visitors will be able to walk beneath the northern wing between the Hunyadi Garden and Szent György Square, with additional restoration work planned for the Munkácsy Hall and the entrance hall to restore them to their original grandeur.
Ultimately, the goal of the National Hauszmann Programme is to restore the Buda Castle District to its former glory and preserve its historical significance for generations to come.
