Andrássy Avenue is the most popular boulevard in Budapest. The Avenue, connecting Elisabeth Square and the main city park, was constructed at the end of the 19th century. It contains many magnificent buildings, houses, villas, embassies, hotels and government institution buildings. Before it was completed, the main and most frequented street in the city was Kurály Street. The Avenue was primarily built to ease traffic. Its architects were Lajos Lechner, Frigyes Fesyi, Klein and Fraser.
Gyula Andrássy was the chief of construction of the Avenue, and the Avenue was named after him. In 1896, the Budapest underground railway passed under the Avenue for the first time. As is the case with most streets and boulevards, the Andrássy Avenue changed names several times, with its other names being Stalin Avenue and the People’s Republic Avenue, until it regained its original name in 1990.
Among other buildings located on the Andrássy Avenue, some like the Franz Liszt Academy of Music and the Városiglet ice rink stand out. The very end of the Avenue contains the Heroes’ Square and the main city park.
The Andrássy Avenue consists of 4 sections. The first section is situated between Elisabeth Square and Oktogon and mostly contains shops and boutiques. The second section spans between the Oktagon and Kodály Körönd, mostly consisting of residential areas, apart from the University building. The third section is located between Kodály Körönd and Bajza Street, mostly containing many notable buildings, such as villas, houses, captivatingly beautiful embassies, museums (House of Horror,Museum of Communism and Fascism).
This Avenue is also known as the Champs Elyssees of Budapest. It is a great spot for walking, car driving, bicycle or electric scooter riding. Both sides of the Avenue are lined with trees, as this street is famous for the longest and most beautiful alée in Budapest. The very end of the Avenue contains the Heroes’ Square and the main city park.
Autor teksta: Ljubiša Đuričić
