Budapest Architect: Miscellaneous pages - Overview

Topics: Introduction * Acorns... : The Mókus as ornament in the architecture * On a low level!: KerékvetÅ‘ *  National pride around 1930 (1): Sgraffiti artworks by Ferenc Márton and Sándor Nagy * Schools in the picture (1): Reading children * Beautiful doors on the picture * Art can be found on the street: Károly Kós tiles * Heritage Days 2011 in Budapest

Introduction

This chapter on the website "Budapest Architect" contains miscellaneous articles, in first instance written for the website "Szia Budapest" and which from 2012 also can be found on this website. It's a mixture of all kind of subjects with an architectural background and will be further extended in the near future.

Acorns... : The Mókus as ornament in the architecture

The facade ornamentation of the buildings in Budapest which are built in the Art Nouveau period, is very special and lush. In fact, is's unprecedented what in this city has been realized. But, you have to look close to see the details.

One of those facade decorations concerns the portraying of the Mókus (squirrel) on the walls or in buildings. Almost certain is that all these buildings are designed in the Art Nouveau period, during which the Mókus was used as ornamentation, and by Jewish architects for Jewish customers. For the websites Szia Budapest and Budapest architect Julius compiled a page with over 20 pictures of the Mókus

On a low level!: Kerékvető

On a low level!.... it's in Budapest, especially in areas outside the center, highly advisable to look down regularly. If you don't do this, it could be a (very) heavy-handed encounter with the bottom of Budapest. Julius speaks from experience ...

But, also look down because there are, just as at the upperside on the facades of buildings, artworks o discover. In particular, on both side edges of doors or gates. It are often objects made from stone or metal are placed here first to avoid that with too wide carriages be driven inward, and secondly, that the doors / gates, opening outwards, not fully could be opened. In Hungary these objects are called "Kerekvető". They also were used, but only in stone, at the entrances of narrow streets. You clearly can see this in the Castle district in Budapest. This page shows some beautiful examples of these artworks.

National pride around 1930 (1): Sgraffiti artworks by Ferenc Márton and Sándor Nagy

After the First World War and the Treaty of Trianon as result of it, the economy of Hungary collapsed. In the years that followed hardly any buildings were realized in Budapest. Around 1925/1926 this started to change and again a period began during which hundreds of buildings were built.

During this period there was from about 1927 to 1932 a trend by which many buildings got ornamentation with references to the Hungarian history or folklife. One of these art forms are the 26 remaining colorful sgraffiti artworks created by Ferenc Márton and Sándor Nagy. The artworks were placed on the buildings designed by the architect István Medgyaszay. On this page a selection of these artworks.

Schools in the picture (1): Reading children

In October 2011 the first bookmarket for Hungarian students Dutch and alumni was held. To celebrate this "Szia Budapest" has created a page with images of reading children which can be found on or against the walls of schools in Budapest.

All these artworks were made in the first half of the 20th century and  includes statues, reliefs and mosaics. And, in particular the mosaics are of great beauty. A selection of these works, can be found on this pagina. Also on this page information on a private tour along several of these artworks.

Beautiful doors on the picture

Budapest and beautiful, gorgeous doors .... a fascinating combination. During the many architectural walks through Budapest, Julius discovered the most beautiful doors. Most of them are made between approx. 1900 and 1920.

The doors are often covered with images of animals: peacocks, parrots, rams, squirrels and so on. They are to find in all shapes and sizes. Most doors are made of iron or metal, but also a few wooden doors have beautiful decorations. A first series of pictures of doors, photographed between 2010 and 20120 can be found on this page. A second series is in preparation.

Art can be found on the street: Károly Kós tiles

Sometimes, you literally can find art on the streets in Budapest. This page shows you such an example which Julius in September 2010 has discovered, in one of the suburbs of the city.

In a beautiful, renovated, park, he found many tiles (and remnants thereof) which nowadays are parts of paths. These tiles were designed by Hungarian architect and artist Károly Kós (1883-1977) and show, for example, buildings designed by him. The tiles are original and made somewhere between 1909 and 1935.

Heritage Days 2011 in Budapest

On September 17 and 18, 2011 the Heritage Days were held in Hungary under the motto "Ezer Magyar Ház". An unique opportunity to look inside beautiful, monumental buildings.

An event primarily for Hungarians and that means that almost the whole website and the program booklet were in Hungarian. Al so, most of the guided tours were held in Hungarian only, but sometimes in English such as Julius experienced in 2010 when he visited the Fasori Református Templom.

For all visitors of this website, interested in architecture and that weekend in Budapest (or living in the city) Julius has made an overview of 20 architectural highlights which could be visited in Budapest.





(Last modification: October 12, 2012)