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St Stephen’s Hall was one of the most important rooms of the Palace of Buda Castle at the turn of the century. It has been rebuilt in a manner entirely faithful to the original, and since its reopening on 20 August 2021, it has once again become an integral part of Hungarian culture and applied arts.
St Stephen’s Hall, which has been visited by more than a quarter of a million visitors, made it onto TIME magazine’s 2023 global ranking, which the prestigious American publication compiles annually featuring the world’s greatest places.
The Idea of a Hungarian-style Hall
In 1897, Vilmos Zsolnay proposed the idea of a Hungarian-style hall to Emperor Franz Joseph, initiating the creation of St Stephen’s Hall in the reconstructed Royal Palace. The Emperor supported the idea, and Alajos Hauszmann, the architect responsible for the palace’s construction, drew up the plans for the historic hall.
Vilmos Zsolnay
The idea of a Hungarian-style hall
In 1897, Vilmos Zsolnay proposed the idea of a Hungarian-style hall to Emperor Franz Joseph, initiating the creation of St Stephen’s Hall in the reconstructed Royal Palace. The Emperor supported the idea, and Alajos Hauszmann, the architect responsible for the palace’s construction, drew up the plans for the historic hall.
Vilmos Zsolnay
The ornate room was the pinnacle of turn-of-the-century craftsmanship, and won a grand prize at the 1900 Paris Exposition.
A helyiség méretei miatt Hauszmann egy igazi ékszerdobozt álmodott meg.
Hauszmann hired the greatest artists and craftspeople of the time do make the furnishings. The wonderful walnut panelling was made in the works of Endre Thék. The painter Ignác Roskovics painted the portraits of the great figures of the House of Árpád, and the painting of the coronation of St Stephen. The majolica tiles and the grand, imposing fireplace were made in Vilmos Zsolnay’s factory in Pécs.
The bust of St Stephen was the work of Alajos Strobl, the gold brocade wall hangings were made in the weaving works of Fülöp Haas and Son, and the furniture and upholstery came from the workshop of Gelb and Son.
Alajos Strobl
Hauszmann hired the greatest artists and craftspeople of the time do make the furnishings. The wonderful walnut panelling was made in the works of Endre Thék. The painter Ignác Roskovics painted the portraits of the great figures of the House of Árpád, and the painting of the coronation of St Stephen. The majolica tiles and the grand, imposing fireplace were made in Vilmos Zsolnay’s factory in Pécs.
The bust of St Stephen was the work of Alajos Strobl, the gold brocade wall hangings were made in the weaving works of Fülöp Haas and Son, and the furniture and upholstery came from the workshop of Gelb and Son.
Alajos Strobl
Alajos Strobl
The parquet flooring was by Neuschlosz Brothers, the bronze chandeliers and wall brackets by the bronze craftsman Rudolf Kissling, and the wrought bronze ornaments by Gyula Jungfer. Hauszmann designed the curtains and the ornate carved chairs for the hall.
The parquet flooring was by Neuschlosz Brothers, the bronze chandeliers and wall brackets by the bronze craftsman Rudolf Kissling, and the wrought bronze ornaments by Gyula Jungfer. Hauszmann designed the curtains and the ornate carved chairs for the hall.
The making of a right royal residence
Through the work of Alajos Hauszmann, the Palace of Buda Castle took its place in the early 20th century among the most distinguished royal buildings in Europe. The pre-eminent architect of the turn of the century, Hauszmann’s work created a palace with a completely renewed exterior and with internal spaces befitting a royal residence.
Alajos Hauszmann
The parquet flooring was by Neuschlosz Brothers, the bronze chandeliers and wall brackets by the bronze craftsman Rudolf Kissling, and the wrought bronze ornaments by Gyula Jungfer. Hauszmann designed the curtains and the ornate carved chairs for the hall.
The making of a right royal residence
Through the work of Alajos Hauszmann, the Palace of Buda Castle took its place in the early 20th century among the most distinguished royal buildings in Europe. The pre-eminent architect of the turn of the century, Hauszmann’s work created a palace with a completely renewed exterior and with internal spaces befitting a royal residence.
