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An architecture tour in Újbuda

Download track as GPX file to load it on your GPS device.
Teljes táv: 9,5 km
Össz. emelkedő:  28 m
Össz. lejtő: -28 m
Magasság max.: 117 m
Magasság min.: 96 m

Start: Kopaszi Levee

How to get there:

by car: paid parking at the entrance of the levee
by public transport: Tram 1, Stop „Infopark”
nearest Bubi (Budapest Bike) station: Pázmány Péter sétány, halfway between ELTE Lágymányos Campus Northern and Southern blocks

This route helps to discover some architectural attractions of the district. Mostly they were built in the 20th century and later lost their original role in industry or transportation but after remodeling they reopened with a new function: bus station transformed into a restaurant and café, or a gearbox factory turned into a supermarket.

Routeplan

Set out from Kopaszi levee. Right here you will find more interesting buildings constructed by renowned architects when the area was revitalized, e.g. the special-shaped building of the police station by László Váncza and Zoltán Szécsi (2007) or the pavilions along the path in the park designed by Turányi architecture company.

Kopaszi levee Kopaszi levee has grown beyond its original river management function and has become a recreational center with various facilities for sports, dining and relaxation.

Starting from the bay follow the coast towards Hengermalom Street. The buildings there will take you back in time. The origin of both the Kelenföld Power Plant and the Roller Mill of Buda dates back to a historic period when Budapest experienced a rapid industrial development. The power plant was built in 1914 by the plans of Virgil Borbíró and Kálmán Reichl.

Kelenföld Power Plant Kelenföld Power Plant has always represented high industry standards and still plays an important role in the district heating of Újbuda. The former transformer house is an industrial monument today and has been a filming location for more productions.

Roller Mill of Buda The Roller Mill of Buda built in 1909 was equipped with the most modern technology. It greatly contributed to the make Budapest a major international player in milling industry. Today it is no longer in use and the building has a listed status.

Heading towards the inner parts along Hengermalom Street you will see Újbuda Center on the corner of Budafoki Street. The shopping center used to be a factory of Hungarian Cable Works until 2004. After closing the factory the hall built in 1960 was remodeled keeping the original facade with offset windows.

Újbuda Center Újbuda Center on the corner of Budafoki Street and Hengermalom Street is home to more than 30 shops in the former building of Hungarian Cable Works. When production ended the hall was remodeled. The facade with offset windows is the most distinctive feature of this building.

As you reach Soproni Street turn left you will pass ALDI supermarket. It is also a remodeled industrial facility by the plans of Géza Kendik. Gearboxes and bearings were replaced with bread and lunch meats.

Budapest Gearbox Factory, today as Aldi supermarket Aldi supermarket at the crossing of Hengermalom Street and Sopron Street operates in the former building of a gearbox factory remodeled by the plans of Géza Kendik. In the 1970s, they even had their own football team in the second league.

Buildings of the Spinning Works were similarly transformed at the end of Soproni Street in Sztregova Street creating the center of Hungarian folk music and dance called Fonó in Budapest in 1995. Recently an exhibition venue called Artus enhanced the cultural character of the place.

Fonó Music Hall of Buda Fonó Music Hall is a venue for folk music and dance events. Fonó was involved in a large-scale folk music collection campaign and released a collection of CDs. Jazz and world music concerts are also frequent.

Fonó Music Hall
Fonó Music Hall Photo: funiQ

Turning left at the end of Sztregova Street go along Nándorfejérvári Street and Nádorliget Street passing contemporary residential buildings.

At the end of Nádorliget Street turn left to Dombóvári Street. When you reach Fehérvári Street you will see the brick facade of the former customs office of the road from Székesfehérvár, today home to various companies. Just right next to it you can see the Budapest Mosque, open to visitors out of worship time.

Budapest Mosque

Turning right and passing below the underpass cross the street and continue riding through the park. As soon as you reach a playground leave the biking track to the right. The man-made mushroom-like structures belonged to the former bus station just like the old waiting room, today called as Tranzit functioning as a restaurant and bar.

Tranzit Art Café Tranzit Art Café opened in a former waiting room of a bus station in Kosztolányi Dezső Square. It provides various cultural programs and often organizes charity events.

Riding around Kosztolányi Dezső Square counterclockwise you will reach Lake Feneketlen, crossing Bocskai Street turn right to Bartók Béla Street. The building on the second corner on the right with a protruding porch roof is the former Simplon, later called Bartók Cinema. Today it is premises for various businesses including a restaurant called Semmi Extra (Nothing Special).

Bartók Cinema Simplon Cinema, the most modern movie theatre of South Buda opened in 1910, later renamed as Bartók Cinema. When opened, it served as movie theatre for silent movies and a stage for revues. It was shut down in 1998 and later reopened as a restaurant and coffee shop.

Riding along soon you will get to the Circus with a well-known remodeled building called „Mushroom” in the middle. The former suburban train terminus built in 1942 is now home to cafés and a public transport ticket office.

Mushroom The circular building in the middle of Móricz Zsigmond Square is known as the Mushroom. It used to serve public transport and was used as an ammo depot during the Revolution of ‘56, while today it is home to cafés as well as a public transport information center and a ticket office.

The arched building behind the Mushroom called Gregersen row is a rare example of unified modern architecture of the 1930s. Going around the square enter Váli Street and turn right at the end (Bercsényi Street).

Passing Allee Mall cross Október huszonharmadika Street, Baranyai Square and the adjoining streets and you will reach Hamzsabégi Street.

Turn left and ride along the street and then follow the biking route. Cross Budafoki Street and continue on Neumann János Street. Take the next left (Hevesy György Street). Here you entered the Expo ’96 area where several buildings were meant to serve the world fair in 1996. As the event was cancelled construction of some buildings were cancelled or postponed. You will pass Pike Hall designed by Antal Lázár and Péter Magyar finished only in 2014.

Pike Hall Pike Hall is a sports facility built for Expo ’96. As the world fair was cancelled construction works were halted. It was finished 20 years later in 2014. There are two squash courts, a gym, spinning bikes and a wellness area. In 2016 a swimming complex opened.

At the end of the street turn left (Magyar tudósok körútja). You will pass a swimming pool complex on a site where originally a smaller size “pike hall” was planned.

Riding along the street you will pass buildings of the Technical University Campus (I and Q) on the right and two churches on the left. The Lágymányos Ecumenical Center) with a brick facade and sharp edges was designed by László Benczúr (2002). The other with its Turkish dome and pyramid-shaped bell tower is the Church of Hungarian Saints by Ferenc Török and Mihály Balázs. It was meant to be the pavilion for Vatican during the expo.

Church of Hungarian Saints The Church of Hungarian Saints is located at Petőfi Bridge. It is surrounded by university buildings so it serves as a spiritual center for local students. It was designed by multi-awarded architects Ferenc Török and Mihály Balázs and was dedicated in 1996.

Reaching the Danube you will see the A38 concert boat. Turn right and follow the biking route. After a few hundred meters along the river you will get back to Kopaszi levee where you started.