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Móricz Zsigmond Square

Móricz Zsigmond Square (Circus) is one of the most important intersections of Budapest today. It is located at the border of Szentimreváros and Lágymányos in District 11. It is Villányi Street, Bartók Béla Street, Karinthy Frigyes Street and Fehérvári Street that run into or cross the Circus.

At the beginning of the 20th century it was a simple crossroads with Fehérvári Inn as the only building there. The development of the square is closely related to that of Lágymányos. In 1929, it was a named as Horthy Miklós Circus, which was renamed after writer Zsigmond Móricz in 1945. In 1930, Prince St Imre sculpture group was installed in the middle of the square made by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl. In 2004, a life-size bronze sculpture of the eponym, Zsigmond Móricz was unveiled.

The characteristic round building in the middle later nicknamed The Mushroom was constructed in 1942 by the plans of József Schall. In the beginning the building functioned as a tram loop with terminuses for several trams and a suburban train.

The Circus was one of the most important hot spots of resistance during the Revolution of 1956 as it lay along the way of Soviet tanks heading towards bridges over the Danube. The fiercest fights took place on October 24-26 and November 4-5.

After the revolution reconstructions were frequent. In 1972, as part of a considerable reconstruction, the tram loop around the Mushroom was eliminated. Building metro line 4 greatly affected the Circus and a complete remodeling started in 2008. A more extensive pedestrian underpass system was built, tramways were changed and the Mushroom was also refurbished. The arched building behind the Mushroom is a Gregersen row house representing modernist architecture.

The remodeling of Móricz Zsigmond Square was finished in 2014 when the new metro line and Móricz Zsigmond Square Station was opened.

Attractions

The 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.

Prince St Imre Sculpture The sculpture group was unveiled in 1930 in Móricz Zsigmond Square (Horthy Miklós Square at the time) with the central figure of ill-fated Prince St Imre and 3 minor figures on both sides symbolizing various groups of young people.

Móricz Zsigmond Square Station The station is characterized by long escalators and colorful walls. Wind generated by trains is diverted by vertical airshafts.

Gregersen Row House Hugó Gregersen designed several tenancy buildings including the block in Móricz Zsigmond Square as the best-known. The facade of row house constructed in the 1930s hides separate buildings.

The former 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.

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.

Wonders of Albertfalva: the riverbank and suburban streets Besides discovering the river bank in Albertfalva you will get to less-known spots of the area, such as the Blue Pond in Kelenvölgy, the park of Arany Dániel Square in Albertfalva. The route leads along shady roads and quiet streets making it a favourable choice even on a hot and sunny day.

An architecture tour in Újbuda This route helps to discover a selection of 20th century architectural attractions of the district, especially those that reopened with a new function after having lost their old one: bus station transformed into a restaurant and café, or a gearbox factory turned into a supermarket.

Discovering underground line M4 Underground line 4 has brought elegance and style to the world of underground transport in Budapest. Contemporary architecture makes everyday commutes an artistic experience for locals. Surface level attractions will also be discovered during the tour.

100-year-old houses in Újbuda The tour will take you to the buildings in Újbuda involved in '''Budapest100''' urban festival. Most of them have passed their centenary and have numerous stories to tell. You will discover nine of them to make them speak.