My late mother in law came from a small Czech town, yet she loved visiting her uncles in the booming city of Budapest. And although she arrived in Australia back in 1951, she didn’t get back to either her Czech home or Budapest until 1993. Here was one of her favourite sites.
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Óbuda, Buda and Pest were united into one single city in 1873, and Budapest’s population was increasing significantly. After Vienna it became the second biggest city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Open markets used to operate without quality control in Budapest until 1879, when a Public Food Committee was founded.
The capital management announced a tender in 1892. From all the entries received, Prof Sam Pecz of the Technical University was chosen to design the project. The location of the Great Market Hall was selected carefully, considering the local population and infrastructure, near the busy port on the River Danube. And the market hall was built on the Pest side of Liberty Bridge.
Building accessible markets and halls, while respecting the city's existing urban fabric and uniqueness, was proposed by the French engineer Besnier de la Pontonerie. He adopted the French model of easily accessible markets to provide fresh, healthy, affordable food in the Hungarian city.
So the decision was made to build covered markets, similar to those in Paris. Five market halls were commissioned around Budapest by the end of the century. Building the Great Market Hall started in 1894, to be the largest and the most modernised. The enormous structure was supported by slender steel columns, allowing for extensive sunlight to make its way into the market. The roof was to be covered with colourful Hungarian Zsolnay roof tiles in a zigzagging pattern, and a wrought-iron structure throughout.
But in 1896, a few days before the public were invited in, fire destroyed half the roof. After repairing the roof, the market finally opened in March 1897 when Zsolnay tiles re-décorated the new roof structure. In Feb 1897, the inauguration ceremonies were held in this very modern, electrified hall.
To ensure the goods' smooth delivery, a short railway was laid to connect the market with the Danube bank so the fresh produce could be transported along it daily. The market apparently had a canal that ran right through the centre, allowing fresh goods to be delivered to the traders via barge! Eventually the market was divided down the centre by a wide, paved thoroughfare, instead of the canal. Wholesalers were situated on the west and retailers on the east.
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The exterior steel structure resembled a railway station, but once when the customer entered, it was clear that the hall’s spacious (10,000 sq ms) interior under the gracious roof structure had always been a market.
The hall had some eminent visitors eg Emperor Franz Joseph who visited the market hall soon after the opening. His Majesty was pleased by the architecture and he really liked the the Zsolnay ceramics on the roof. Market Hall, he said, was one of the most beautiful, airy creations of brick architecture in Hungary, and the neogothic entrance gate was outstanding.
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From 1897 the official Market Hall Report newspaper appeared twice weekly, informing the community about the prices and encouraging customers to try new products. The usual shouting to attract market customers was forbidden.
Front entrance of the Great Market Hall
with Zsolnay tiles on the roof
Budapest
The capital management announced a tender in 1892. From all the entries received, Prof Sam Pecz of the Technical University was chosen to design the project. The location of the Great Market Hall was selected carefully, considering the local population and infrastructure, near the busy port on the River Danube. And the market hall was built on the Pest side of Liberty Bridge.
Budapest had experienced rapid economic growth when transport and trade expansion took place. But not everyone did well. The city leaders urged generous gestures to solve the market problem. Budapest's Grand Market Hall found itself opening in time for the Hungarian Millennium, in 1896. Before then, the farmers used to come in from rural areas and sell their products at outdoor market places, a chaotic and unhygienic method of commerce. In any case, Budapest’s outdoor markets could no longer adequately supply the increasing population with fresh produce.
Building accessible markets and halls, while respecting the city's existing urban fabric and uniqueness, was proposed by the French engineer Besnier de la Pontonerie. He adopted the French model of easily accessible markets to provide fresh, healthy, affordable food in the Hungarian city.
So the decision was made to build covered markets, similar to those in Paris. Five market halls were commissioned around Budapest by the end of the century. Building the Great Market Hall started in 1894, to be the largest and the most modernised. The enormous structure was supported by slender steel columns, allowing for extensive sunlight to make its way into the market. The roof was to be covered with colourful Hungarian Zsolnay roof tiles in a zigzagging pattern, and a wrought-iron structure throughout.
But in 1896, a few days before the public were invited in, fire destroyed half the roof. After repairing the roof, the market finally opened in March 1897 when Zsolnay tiles re-décorated the new roof structure. In Feb 1897, the inauguration ceremonies were held in this very modern, electrified hall.
To ensure the goods' smooth delivery, a short railway was laid to connect the market with the Danube bank so the fresh produce could be transported along it daily. The market apparently had a canal that ran right through the centre, allowing fresh goods to be delivered to the traders via barge! Eventually the market was divided down the centre by a wide, paved thoroughfare, instead of the canal. Wholesalers were situated on the west and retailers on the east.
wide, paved thoroughfare through the market
and high arched ceiling
The hall had some eminent visitors eg Emperor Franz Joseph who visited the market hall soon after the opening. His Majesty was pleased by the architecture and he really liked the the Zsolnay ceramics on the roof. Market Hall, he said, was one of the most beautiful, airy creations of brick architecture in Hungary, and the neogothic entrance gate was outstanding.
Note the wrought iron work
and slender steel columns
The Market Hall provided fresh food for Budapest for 45 years, but it suffered a bomb hit during WW2 and was damaged badly. It was rebuilt very quickly in the 50s, but by the early 90s the structure had weakened and the site had became dangerous.
In 1991-4 a complete renovation was started by the city government which brought the market back to its original splendour. Renovations were made to both the interior and exterior, and new Zsolnay tiles were crafted for the roof. The result was a clean, bright, colourful new market that my late mother-in-law loved.
Today the Central Market Hall is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the city. It has three storeys of stalls selling a variety of wares. Most of the stalls on the very busy ground floor offer pastries, sweets, aromatic spices eg traditional Hungarian paprika and spirits eg Tokaji wine. Wander around the rows on the ground floor to see and buy exotic fruits and vegetables.
The upper floor has mainly eateries, food stands, buffets and little restaurants. A guide can help to get the best tastings in each row, including the various sublime strudels! The upper floor also has a rich selection of Hungarian embroidery, white peasant shirts, souvenirs and art and crafts.
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In the basement, see the supermarket, fishmongers and butcher shops. Hungarians eat meat very often, so see a wide range of different sausages, salamis, fresh meat and all kinds of animal parts.
In the belle-époque era the market was loved in Budapest, and today the Great Market Hall still stands as one of the most fascinating living monuments of Hungary’s capital. The Great Market Hall was listed as a national monument in 1977, and its renovation in 1999 earned an architectural prize.
In 1991-4 a complete renovation was started by the city government which brought the market back to its original splendour. Renovations were made to both the interior and exterior, and new Zsolnay tiles were crafted for the roof. The result was a clean, bright, colourful new market that my late mother-in-law loved.
Today the Central Market Hall is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the city. It has three storeys of stalls selling a variety of wares. Most of the stalls on the very busy ground floor offer pastries, sweets, aromatic spices eg traditional Hungarian paprika and spirits eg Tokaji wine. Wander around the rows on the ground floor to see and buy exotic fruits and vegetables.
The upper floor has mainly eateries, food stands, buffets and little restaurants. A guide can help to get the best tastings in each row, including the various sublime strudels! The upper floor also has a rich selection of Hungarian embroidery, white peasant shirts, souvenirs and art and crafts.
Fruit and vegetables
Hungarian embroidery and peasant shirts
In the basement, see the supermarket, fishmongers and butcher shops. Hungarians eat meat very often, so see a wide range of different sausages, salamis, fresh meat and all kinds of animal parts.
In the belle-époque era the market was loved in Budapest, and today the Great Market Hall still stands as one of the most fascinating living monuments of Hungary’s capital. The Great Market Hall was listed as a national monument in 1977, and its renovation in 1999 earned an architectural prize.