Budapest Architect private tours: Overview 2012 / 2013

Introduction * The Small Print * Note for disabled persons

Private tours: Kozma utca Jewish cemetery * Synagogues in Budapest * Early Art Nouveau 1897-1904 * Ödön Lechner designed buildings 1893-1914 * Amsterdam School influences * Bauhaus and New Objectivity architecture * The use of Zsolnay ceramics in the architecture * Garden cities - Wekerle and more * Graffiti art * 10-11 different types of transport * The nature and hills of Budapest * Visiting a district * Thematical tours

Introduction

To convey something of Julius' enthusiasm about Budapest and to show there's so much more than the standard sights, he developed 11 private tours which are listed on both Budapest Architect and Szia Budapest.

Customization is also possible, the goal is not to guide large groups of people, but small groups (2-6 persons) or a private tour for one or more persons. The last Julius likes the most. It's also possible to hire Julius for other things when you stay in Budapest or if you are visiting this unique city. For instance if you want to visit (old) toys shops or something like that.

This page contains the overview of the 11 private tours and other possibilities. By clicking on the title or picture, you will get more information. (Photo: mosaic on the facade of a school in district VII. in Budapest (1906))



Budapest Architect private tours: Overview 2012 / 2013

Kozma utca Jewish cemetery

A private tour to the outskirts of Budapest where on the largest Jewish cemetery in the city beautiful (albeit lapsed) crypts and other monuments can be viewed. The focus of this private tour is on the grave monuments built in the period from about 1900 - 1920, from which several has the most beautiful mosaics.

But you'll also see tombs that you won't see soon elsewhere on a Jewish cemetery, such as graves with a miniature car on it or graves with statues of people. The very impressive Holocaust memorial will (obviously) be visited too. (Photo: the signature of Béla Lajta - Leitersdorfer - on a tomb which he designed on the Kozma utca Jewish cemetery)

Synagogues in Budapest

Until the tragedy began, especially in 1944, by which a huge part of  the Jewish inhabitants of Budapest were murdered, the city had a huge vibrant Jewish population. This also had as consequence that the Jewish inhabitants needed many prayer-houses and synagogues, and between 1885 and 1930 several new synagogues were built. After the Second World War some of these buildings lost their function, but they are still recognizable as such.

During this tour you will see, from the outside, nine of those synagogues, designed by e.g. Baumhorn-Lipot and Richard Schöntheil, and which are located throughout the whole city. (Photo: synagogue which is not in use anymore and designed by the architect Baumhorn-Lipot)

Early Art Nouveau 1897-1904

Art Nouveau came into fashion in Budapest just as the Millennium Celebrations were organized and was used in various forms between 1896 and 1914. Ödön Lechner was very important for the acceptance of this new architectural style, but others like Frigyes Spiegel and Emil Vidor were equally important.

During this tour you will see a number of special buildings from the period 1896-1904 designed by other architects than Ödön Lechner and in a style which is to classify as more western / Viennese. You will see houses with fully decorated facades or facades with a combination of Art Nouveau and Neo-styles. (Photo: part of the onamentation on the facade of one of the eldest Art Nouveau buildings in Budapest)

Ödön Lechner - designed buildings 1893-1814

Private tour dedicated to Ödön Lechner (1845-1914) of the most important architects in Budapest around 1900. By some called the "Hungarian Gaudi", because of his desire for innovation. Also inspirator for many architects, such as Béla Lajta.

This tour shows you at most 11 buildings built between approx. 1893 and 1915, designed by Ödön Lechner mostly in collaboration with other architects. The tour is mainly on the Pest side of the Danube. One building is located on the Buda side of the city. (Photo: tile in the floor of the entrance hall of the last building designed by Ödön Lechner)

Amsterdam School influences

In the first half of the 20th century were many contacts between Hungarian and Dutch artists and architects. And many Hungarian architects who visited the Netherlands, incorporated influences of Dutch architecture in the design of their buildings in Budapest. As a result, several buildings designed around 1930 in Budapest have influences of, in particular, the Amsterdam School. But also a church with obvious influences by the Dutch architect Dudok can be found in Budapest.

This private tour shows you a couple of these buildings which are located throughout the city and beside (if there's time) you'll visit a street that for some years has been named to a Dutch Queen as a homage for helping the Hungarian people in the first half of the 20s. (Photo: one of the buildings in Budapest with Amsterdam School style influences)

Bauhaus and New Objectivity architecture

Budapest is very rich on Bauhaus and New Objectivity architecture, so buildings of the late 20s and 30s (and also 40s in Budapest). After the Art Nouveau period it is the other booming period in the architecture of Budapest with hundreds of buildings in this style.

The basis of this tour is to visit two places in Budapest that in an excellent way shows you the Bauhaus and New Objectivity architecture in Budapest. During this tour you will see both apartment complexes as villas and other buildings in this architectural style. (Photo: Bauhaus villa in the outskirts of Budapest)

The use of Zsolnay ceramics in the architecture

The Hungarian Zsolnay factory at Pecs, known for its beautiful ceramics, vases, statues, etc., played around 1900 an important role in the architecture of numerous buildings. Ödön Lechner used to include Zsolnay products in one of his finest creations: the Museum of Applied Arts (Iparműveszeti Múzeum). In applying these products on the walls and roofs of buildings you can think of glazed roofs, tiles and other wall decorations. At least 150 buildings in Budapest are be found where is made use of Zsolnay products.

The tour that you get, shows you about 15 interesting buildings in Pest. In particular designed in the late 19th and early 20th century and where (as in the picture) Zsolnay products are used to enliven the building. (Photo: detail of the Zsolnay art on the facade of the Árkád-bázar, a former toy store)

Garden cities - Wekerle and more

Wekerle is the most important garden city in Budapest. Although originating a garden city was supposed to be realized in the country, this principle / idea was in the first quarter of the 20th century also used in the development of new districts, as in Budapest.Wekerle was built between 1909 and 1926 and has a geometric street plan. The central square was partly designed by the architect Károly Kós.

This private tour will take you for a walk in this unique piece in Budapest and in addition we also visit another relatively little known garden city in Budapest, but a visit more than worthwhile. (Photo: tile with a design by Károly Kós, which you'll see during this tour, together with other tiles designed by Károly Kós)

Graffiti Art

Graffiti can be Art, see the picture left which until early April 2011 in Budapest was to find and which was created by the artist Taker.

This literally and figuratively adventurously tour, brings you to different locations in Budapest such as "The Wall of Fame". And, currently also to a dilapidated factory complex where many beautiful examples of Graffiti Art can be viewed. The route and which locations will be visted, will be determined just before the tour starts. Because the Graffiti Art often change it is always a surprise, also for your guide, what will be found during this private tour!

10-11 different types of transport

Public Transport in Budapest is (very) good, and  all neigbourhoods of the city frenquently can be reached with the public transport. Uniquely, the city has so many types of transport.

This tour will introduce you to a maximum of 10 (11 is also possible) types of transport, most public. But you'll also use a chairlift and a narrow gauge train. The tour primarily takes place on the Buda side of the Danube and there are several possibilities for additional trips. The tour is only possible for a part of the year, because not all transport is in operation during the whole year. (Photo: on the Children Railway sometimes a steam locomotive be used)

The nature and hills of Budapest

Budapest is not only interesting in terms of a city, also the nature is beautiful, particularly in the hills of Budapest, and there are several nature reserves. The Sas-hegy is such an example, but there are, especially for tourists, areas that are unknown and even more beautiful.

This tour shows you such an area, and ending at 495 meters height you'll get a breathtaking view over Budapest and its surroundings. Also an area where wild boars are living. When Julius, your guide, for the first time walked around in this neighbourhood, he immediately recognized the churned-up ground what be done by these animals. Something you instantly recognize as you, for instance, walks on the Veluwe in the Netherlands.

With clear weather you will e.g. see the mountains on the border of Hungary and Slovakia. It is a (very) challenging hike that requires a good physical condition because you sometimes walk quite steeply up or down on forest paths with stones. The tour be given in four variants: "Enjoyment on a high altitude", "Up and under the hill", "Though for your calf muscles" and "The battle of the Titans". (Photo: the sign that tells that the hill is a protected area)

Visiting a district

Julius is able to give private tours in many districts of Budapest. These private tours show you beautiful buildings, facade ornamentations, statues and so on. Beside of it you'll get faced with the life in a neighborhood and you will see that not every part of the city is as clean as the tourist center.

Thematical private tours

Julius also offers thematical tours. For example: a private tour to view school buildings from the early 20th century with do have special wall decorations such as sculptures, mosaics and plaquettes. But even walks along antique shops or shops with old-fashioned toys are possible. If you have a wish for such a tour... mail Julius.
 

The small print: Conditions and rules

On this page you will find the conditions/rules for the private tours. In 2012 / 2013 private tours can be given nearly the whole year round.

Note for disabled persons

Unfortunately, all tours in their present form are not suitable for disabled persons, particularly wheelchair users. The kind of transportation and other problems related to the infrastructure of the city, make that impossible. Yet, in modified form, by renting a wheelchair van, at least a few things for disabled people are possible to view, but it is no ideal situation. (Photo: facade decoration from 1935 on a building in the XIII. district, made by the Hungarian artist Margit Kovács)





(Last modification: October 12, 2012)