Budapest University of Technology and Economics, K Building
The more than 200-year-old Technical University is headquartered in an impressive building. The K Building constructed in 1909 is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is the biggest building of the campus. It was built as a two-storey building but it was later extended to three levels. It is home not only to university education but various events and performances, such as those of Szkéné Theatre on the second floor. Family sport days, concerts of the Technical University Symphonic Orchestra, the summer camp of Children’s University are each examples of noncore events.
The university building is rich in sculptures. The most extraordinary pieces are the four monumental sculptures at the main entrance symbolizing technological sciences. They were carved by Károly Senyei’s models, which, unfortunately, were destroyed during WW2. On the centenary of the campus, in 2007 the sculptures were remade.
Further renovation works included renewal of roof tiling and roof structure as well as lighting protection.
The university library is also in K Building. The reading room of the library was built in neo-Gothic style with tinted windows from Miksa Róth’s glass workshop. The wall around the entrance was originally decorated with a fresco by Dezső Raksányi and his students, however, it was unrestorable after damages during WW2.
CH building of Technical University The Neo-Renaissance building, aka CH Building, in St Gellért Square has been home to the Faculty of Chemical Engineering since 1904. The date on the facade indicates the year of founding Technical University.
History
The predecessor of Technical University, Institutum Geometricum was founded in 1782 as part of Liberal Arts Faculty, University of Buda, first in Europe raising technical education to university rank. As time passed there was a growing need for a separate institution for engineering education. Although an important step was taken by issuing Ratio Educationis in 1777 by Maria Theresa it was only in 1846 when József College of Technology opened. In 1850 Institutum Geometricum merged with the college under the name Joseph Industrieschule teaching in German. This measure not only eliminated the Institute but engineering higher education in Hungary also for 20 years. In 1856, Industrieschule was renamed to Joseph Polytechnic and raised to a rank of higher education, as well as restoring Hungarian as the language of teaching in 1860. In 1870, a bill was introduced in the parliament to reorganize the Polytechnic. After the reorganization Royal József Technical University opened in 1871. The first director was József Stoczek.
With a growing number of students a larger building was needed. It was in 1909 when the university moved to its current building designed by Győző Czigler, Alajos Hauszmann and Samu Pecz.
In 1934 the school was renamed to Hungarian Royal Palatine Joseph University of Technology and Economics. By that time it had become the largest institute of higher education.
During WW2 the building was a warzone and got badly damaged. After structural changes it was renamed to Budapest Technical University in 1949. The strong need for additional space was met by constructing 11 more buildings. At the beginning of the 21th century „I“ and „Q“ buildings opened and the university was renamed to Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
Recommended tours
A tour in the heart of Újbuda A walk around the cultural center of South Buda answers how a building was named after 500 silver coins or how a church still in use today was built on the first floor of another building, or how youngsters had fun at the Park Stage of Buda.
Universities and parks on the two sides of the Danube The bike trip from the university campus to Kopaszi levee lets you discover the riverbanks crossing the Danube twice. Riding along the river you will a beautiful spa, a university building that dominates the riverside, significant cultural spots and probably the most popular park of the city.