VÁROSLIGET 1896 - 2023
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Impressum
THE PLAN

After opening the Avenue in 1876, the city wanted to build a modern transportation system. However, they declined all concepts that were above ground level, because that would have disturbed the wealthy residents of the avenue. For these reasons, they started planning the underground according to the Budapest Electric Railway Co. CEO Mór Balázs’s idea, aided by the technical departments of Siemens and Halske, as well as Adolf Wörner Chief Engineer of Public Railroad Budapest Co. In order to complete this project, the two rival companies (Public Railroad Budapest Co. and Electric Railway Co.) joined forces, and their negotiations were led by the two CEOs, Mór Balázs and Henrik Jellinek. The license for construction was signed for 90 years, on 9 August 1894.

The following day, a new company called Budapesti Földalatti Közúti Villamos Vasút Rt (Budapest Underground Public Electric Railway Inc) was created. One condition was that the constructions had to be finished before the opening of Millennium Exhibition. For construction and installment, they were given a 20-month period.

TIMELINE
1794
On the advice of Judge János Boráros, the neglected Városerdőcske (Citywoods) was to be transformed into a resting and entertainment area
1813
The Beautifying Committee led by Archduke Joseph, the Palatine of Hungary issued a tender to renovate the Citywoods
1838
The first permanent stunt stall opens. A funfair is taking shape later to be known as Vurstli
1866
The Zoo, exhibiting five hundred animals, opens
1870
Crown Prince Rudolph solemnly opens the ice-rink of the City Park
1876
The avenue (today: Andrássy Avenue) to make it easier to approach the City Park is finished
1885
The National General Exhibition to welcome 1.5 million visitors opens
1896
Francis Joseph I opens the Millennium Exhibition, which had more than 200 pavilions on 55 hectares
1896
The first subway of the continent is launched bearing the name Francis Joseph Millennial Subway
1899
The Museum of Transportation opens in the impressive building of the Transportation Hall of the Millennial Exhibition
1906
The Museum of Fine Arts opens
1907
The Museum of Agriculture opens in Vajdahunyad Castle which was built for the Millennial Exhibition
1909
The Art Nouveau building of the Theatre of the City Park of Budapest opens
1910
The Gundel family takes over the Wampetics restaurant which was opened in 1889. The English Park opens
1913
Széchenyi Spa opens
1929
The millennial memorial is finished, the Heroes’ Memorial Stone is unveiled. Later (in 1932), the square is named Heroes’ Square
1938
Because of the Eucharistic Congress, Heroes’ Square is transformed into its recent shape
1944
The bombings completely destroy several significant buildings of the City Park
1950
The shaping of Felvonulási tér (Procession Square) starts with the Stalin statue and the building of the grandstand
1956
On October 23, 1956, the Stalin statue is pulled down, the revolution and fight for independence begins
1966
After the partial reconstruction of the war damages, the Museum of Transportation reopens
1966
The old circus building is torn down, and the 5-year construction of the present building begins
1983
The premier of the rock opera István, a király (Stephen, the king) is held on King’s Hill
1989
On June 16, 1989, the reburial of Imre Nagy and other martyrs symbolically marks the beginning of the transition
1991
Pope John Paul II celebrates a holy mass in Heroes’ Square
2013
Liget Budapest Projekt (City Park Budapest Project), the largest cultural project of its time in Europe, is launched