When we visited Budapest in 2019, I had no idea what to expect in terms of street art. I enjoy street art, but it was not the first thing that came to mind when I thought of Budapest. How naïve of me!
Budapest, it appears, is defined by more than just its museums, delicious food and an easy-going café culture. On the walls all across the city, there is a growing street art movement.
This made meandering around Budapest very enjoyable. We didn’t go looking for street art on this trip; it found us. As we walked down each street, we had no idea what we would find.
We stumbled across some incredible pieces. The following is just a small sample of what we saw.
Rubik’s Cube – 2015
Artist: Neopaint Works @neopaintworks Address: 5 Rumbach Sebestyén Street (District VII – Jewish Quarter)
Located approximately 500 metres from the Dohány Street Synagogue, this mural is a tribute to Hungarian inventor Ernő Rubik, the creator of the Rubik’s Cube.
The artist’s message is that there is always a solution, and on the corner of the mural is the number 43,252,003,274,489,856,000, (43 quintillion), which is the number of ways a Rubik’s Cube can be scrambled.
This mural was painted to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Rubik’s Cube, as well as Ernő Rubik’s 70th birthday.
Kukora – 2015
Artists: TransOne @_transone_ and Fat Heat @fatheat Address: 41 Kazinczy Street (District VII – Jewish Quarter)
Kazinczy Street is well-known for its restaurants and bars, making it a popular tourist and nightlife destination.
As a result, the inspiration for this large mural overlooking the garden at Mika Tivadar, a bar in Budapest’s Jewish District, represents Hungary’s food and drink tradition. The Hungarian Grey cattle with their long horns are a regional classic cuisine.
Here the lounging bull with its curved horns and regal clothing is about to chomp down on some tasty-looking grass. Yum!!
Living Space – 2016
Artists: Fat Heat @fatheat and Ciripp Address: Corner of Arany János / Sas Streets (District V – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky)
This large mural, which depicts a wooden building on stilts, gives people on the street a strange look through its windows. It waits with two small birds for the water tide to arrive.
The work is not only beautiful to look at, it can also be brought to LIFE! It is the first mural in Hungary to use ‘augmented reality’ technology.
An animation was created for this mural, and when we view it on our smartphone, the odd house comes to life, as rain and thunder agitate the small residents.
To watch the video, go here.
Laura (Woman in Blue Hat) – 2019
Artist: Colorful City Group Address: 47 Kazinczy Street (District VII – Jewish Quarter)
This lovely painting is one of three classic Hungarian paintings that have been re-interpreted as part of an exhibition that transforms famous Hungarian works into modern street art.
Vilmos Aba-Novák, a well-known Hungarian painter created the original painting (Laura 1930).
The woman in the blue hat is simply a symbol of urban isolation. The young lady sitting at the bar, sips her drink, absorbed in her straw looking at infinity.
The Angel of Budapest – 2016
Artist: Okuda San Miguel @okudart Address: 4 Dob Street (District VII – Jewish Quarter)
This striking mural, with its geometric patterns and cubist style, is ablaze in vibrant colour.
The mural is dedicated to Ángel Sanz Briz, a Spanish diplomat based in Budapest who prevented the deportation of up to 5,200 Jews of Spanish origin.
Babszem Jankó – 2015
Artist: Akacorleone @akacorleone Address: 35 Kazinczy Street (Budapest District VII – Jewish Quarter)
This is a colourful abstract mural that visually interprets the story of a Hungarian folktale, Jankó Holló. It tells the story of a boy from a poor family that went on to earn his living at the King’s court.
The artist has combined Hungarian folk tale themes with his own style. The bright, cheerful colours emphasise constant hope and determination.
The stacked shapes represent various adventures for the boy in the story, with the raven at the top of the mural representing the completion of the goal and success.
6:3 – 2015
Artist: Neopaint Works @neopaintworks Address: 6-10 Rumbach Sebestyén (District VII – Jewish Quarter)
This mural commemorates a historic football match between Hungary and England in 1953. Hungary defeated England 6 – 3 at Wembley Stadium in what was dubbed the ‘Match of the Century’. This score was used to name the mural.
The victory is immortalised on the wall, along with a game ticket and the front page of the next day’s newspaper, which reported on the legendary match.
White Stag – 2015
Artist: Carlos BreakOne @CarlosBreakOne Address: 4 Régiposta Street (District V – Belváros-Lipótváros)
Described as a colourful mess, the myth of the White Stag is the beast that led Nimrud the great legendary ruler of ancient Mesopotamia into the lands that would one day become Hungary.
Possibly Budapest’s most colourful mural, you’ll have to look a little closer to see the full detail of this one, a stag blending in among all the colours.
I’m not sure I see it. Do you?
The Jewish Quarter
The majority of the street art discussed in this article is located in District VII (Erzsébetváros). With restaurants, ruin pubs, cafés, designer boutiques, and a mix of narrow lanes, passages, and secret courtyards, it is also the home to the Jewish community.
District VII is Budapest’s smallest district. This small, densely populated area is teeming with both locals and tourists. Although it has become known for its nightlife, we found it to be a fun place to explore all day round.
The Great Synagogue of Dohány Street dominates this neighbourhood and is a must visit.
We really enjoyed it! We had a great time exploring this area, and I know you will too!
4 comments
Enjoyable post that is well written with good photographs, thanks, Mike
Thanks Dad, I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
Some very colourful and interesting pieces Mike..
Thanks Gill, it’s good to hear you enjoyed it.