National Hauszmann Program



The National Hauszmann Program (Nemzeti Hauszmann terv) is a national renovation plan for the Buda Castle district in Budapest, Hungary, which aims to rebuild or restore a number of buildings, gardens and parks to their former glory. These structures were damaged or destroyed in World War II during the battle of Budapest that took place between December 1944 and February 1945, and were not rebuilt or renovated by the government of the then-Hungarian People's Republic for idealistic reasons. The project is named after Alajos Hauszmann, the castle's last major architect. The renovation project will last from 2019 to 2030.

History
The Hungarian Government formulated the "National Hauszmann Program" to revitalize and restore Buda Castle and its surrounding district in the period of 2019−2030. The program is named in honour of the Austro-Hungarian architect Alajos Hauszmann, who was himself the architectural director of the expansion work on the Royal Castle for a decade and a half and gave it its current neo-Baroque appearance. The first phase of the program started in 2016. By 2019, the reconstruction of the Royal Riding Hall, Stöckl Staircase and the Castle Guards' Barrack had been completed and the rebuilding of the Ybl Slope next to the barrack started. In the same year, further reconstructions were announced, namely Archduke Joseph's Palace, the former Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense, and the former Ministry of Foreign Affairs' building.

Overview
The program includes, for example:
 * Reconstruction of the Royal Riding Hall of Hungary, Castle Guards' Barracks, Stöckl Staircase, Archduke Joseph's Palace, St Stephen's Room in the Royal Palace, and former Red Cross Headquarters;
 * Reconstruction of the Ministry of Defense of Hungary and Tower of the National Archives of Hungary;
 * Renovation of the Fehérvári Rondella and the surrounding gardens;
 * Restoration of the Equestrian Statue of Artúr Görgey and the Matthias Fountain.