Market Day on the Főtér cir. late 1800’s postcards
(1899)
The structure with 3 round windows was a Public Lavatory now long gone.
Market Day on the Főtér - Undated
Early 1900’s showing the Trinity Column and a water well at the far right.
(Szily János Street Early 1900’s) A street car passing the Bishop’s Palace on the left.
(1907) Looking down Széchenyi utca from the shadows of the Bishop’s Palace.
The four story building at the end of this short street is the apartment house on the corner of the triangular Főtér (or Main Square) in the images below.
( Late 1800’s) The Bishop’s Palace in Szily János Street.
Note two Cathedral spires behind the roof line with scaffolding on the south tower for repairs.
Very early photograph from the roof top of the Bishop’s Palace looking to the East.
Note the statues at the roof edge in the lower right corner of the image. The 2 story building on the corner was the old City Hall lost in the bombing of 1945.
(1901) The building on the left is the Bishop’s Palace and on the right, the Seminary for the training of new priests.
(1914) The area of the Tympanum on this postcard had been damaged with ink residue from the printing process. It was repaired here before posting.
Later 1800’s on the Főtér with carriages and folks. The corner building at the right edge, would eventually become a 3 story apartment complex not yet built. Near the horses head, the fresh water pump for the citizens.
Turn of the Century. Perhaps a Sunday on the Főtér.
(Early 1900’s) View of the new apartment building on the Főtér.
(Early 1900’s) Queen Elizabeth St. on the Főtér with the cathedral towers over the roof line. The two buildings next to the apartment building (corner above) will by the 40’s have been taken down and replaced with modern apartments.
(Early 1900’s) Folks gather at the far East End of the Főtér. In the center the Tower of the Franciscan Church.
Hand colored image of “Market Day” on the Főtér.
(mid 1900’s) The Főtér with an early “Park Scheme” and trolley tracks.
Passengers boarding at a Bus Stop in front of Állami Áruház department store.
Clothing styles would suggest the period of early 50s. Building was erected in 1912.
(Mid 1900’s) The trolley line for the most part was a single track system throughout the city with passing points along the line. This point was located on the Főtér in front of a large department store. Below: a color slide looking West.
Queen Elizabeth Street.
Looking West on Széchenyi István utca. (St.).
A short street that takes you to the Bishop’s Palace and Cathedral complex. Note the spire at left edge.
Looking East toward St. Elizabeth’s Church now referred to as the Franciscan Church that was constructed in 1380.
Note television antennas on the rooftops (cir. 1950’s Color 35mm. slide.)
Across the Perint River, a short walk behind the Cathedral, a modern styled building. Originally a High School for boys, during the war it was converted to a large Hospital, and is now University of West Hungary. Possibly, the hospital where Anna (see the bombing story on the Web), went to retrieve her wounded husband.
The following few images concern the 2nd. and 3rd. buildings from the left.
(cir. late 30’s) The Hangya Building under construction on Queen Elizabeth St.
(undated) Possibly repairs to the “pavers” on the Főtér. It is known that the back area of the Hangya building received one bomb blast with heavy damage at the same time as the corner Apartment Bldg. (March ‘45). Hangya bldg. completed 1942.
(cir. late 40’s-50’s) The Főtér in an early development stage.
(2012) Image today of the Főtér development with it’s fountain at the right edge.
(2012) Emblem at the center of the Hangya Building.
“Szövetkezés – Erő” (Co-operation – Strength)
(2012) Dancing Waters on the Főtér. A restful place to relax and for children to play around the dancing waters.
(2012) The Trinity Statue on a cool and rainy day in the Summer.
(2012) The Magical Fountain showing its tiled Basin and Dancing Waters.
(2016) A Photo Essay of interactions of the Dancing Waters with children
is on the Magical Fountain page.
(2012) “Day’s End” Sunlight now bathes the skyline of the Főtér buildings.
(2012) The Franciscan Church was built in a Gothic Style about the 1380’s. In 1630, a tower was added and expanded and later modified in a Baroque style. The church’s main assets is a picture on the altar showing the city as it looked in 1716. On the wall of the Sanctuary is a 14th century Gothic fresco, although now in fragments, depicting Saint Elizabeth. The Entrance is of the Renaissance style with a statue of Saint Elizabeth over the Entry Doors. Interiors are of the Baroque Period and the left side altar bears the image of St. Flórián.
