Andrássy út is a wide artery which originates at Erzsebét tér near St. Stephen’s Basilica, and ends at Hero’s Square. The street is lined with large 18th and 19th century buildings, with elegant ironwork, caryatids, beautiful gates and doorways, and the occasional frieze. The State Opera is on this street facing a now-abandoned palatial building which once housed the Hungarian Ballet. Farther down the street, at the Oktogon, the street transitions to include pedestrian walkways on both sides, each lined with a double allée of trees. Here, the mansions have become offices and embassies, with landscaping in the forecourts. The focal point at this end of the street is the monument and colonnade of Hero’s Square. Between these two points are many sidewalk cafés, and elegant boutiques. This elegant and historical street is attracting many high-end designers. Louis Vuitton has a presence here; and, Emporio Armani  and Emporio Armani Caffe (sic) as well as Gucci will be opening in the Andrássy Palace soon. The optimism of these international luxury goods retailers sends a signal of prosperity about the once depressed economy of Hungary. It is a sign that Budapest is a world player in tourism and international trade.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. Beautiful ironwork gracing a mansion. 2. The pedestrian walkways and allées on Andrássy út. 3. Superb cast iron lamps grace this building, now the Post Museum. 4. A painted frieze with the portrait of Dürer. Center, Top: Stone caryatids adorning the doorway of an Andrássy Street building. Center, Bottom:  Stone lion on the Andrássy Palace. Right Column: 1. Street sign identifying Andrássy út. 2. Stone balcony with balustrades on a building near the Erzsebét tér end of Andrássy út. 3. Ironwork fence protecting the forecourt of an Andrássy út mansion. 4. A painted frieze with the portrait of Da Vinci.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                           BACK TO MAP PAGE