Csepely-Knorr Luca: Barren Places to Public Spaces. A History of Publick Park Design in Budapest 1867-1914 (Budapest, 2016)
Public Park design in Budapest during the second half of the 19th Century
surrounded by hedges, and the wooden and glass porch. The eastern, less decorative façade, faced ‘Mutatványos Square’, the sideshow area of the park. The building did not have any porch on that side, which shows that most probably the more well-to-do guests were expected from the direction of Tisztviselőtelep. The restaurant was opened in 1896, and its first tenant was Mihály Heinczel. Keresztéiy Ilsemann, Plan for the so-called Vurstli area in Népliget Park, 1910 / HUBFL XV.17.d.lS14.a. 10/3.1 Besides the restaurant, other opportunities to entertain the public were as important in the newly-created park. The so-called Vurstli, the sideshow area, was a counterpoint to the ‘ornamental grounds’. From a compositional point of view, it was an important, emphasised feature, created out of geometrical elements, ellipses and circles. The aim of creating this was to take pressure off Városliget Park. The creation of a specially-designed entertainment area had already happened in both Városmajor Park and in Városliget Park. The new Vurstli in Népliget Park was smaller than the one in Városliget Park, and was mostly visited by the poorer residents of the city. However, it became a decisive element in Népliget Park, too. At the time of the opening, a rifle-range, vaudeville theatre and a merry-go-round were placed here, but the opportunities were enriched later. In 1899, a swing-boat, puppet-show, photography stand, hammer player and phonograph were also working. By 1904, it was further enriched with a coffee and milk hall, a carousel, an air balloon to go up in, and a shooting gallery. A year, later a moving-picture house and a panopticon were also created.346 The area of the ‘Vurstli’ was enlarged in 1910s, due to its popularity. The new plan, signed by the Head Gardener Keresztély Ilsemann, created a strict, geometrical order for the stalls. It should be mentioned, however, that the park had one missing functional element: it was created without any designated area for children to play, which was highlighted by contemporary criticism.347 At the time of the opening, the sports ground for the ‘Telepi Torna Egylet’ (Sporting Association of the Estate - Tisztviselőtelep) was also opened. It was intended to give sporting opportunities for the residents: tennis in summer and ice-skating in winter.348 The building next to it was originally to serve as the Milk Hall during the Millennium Exhibition in Városliget Park. At the turn of the 20th century opportunities for organised sports became more and more important. From this point, the first phase of Népliget Park was already up-to-date. The statues placed in the new public park were replaced here from other sites in the city, parallel to the Sports Hall. The park did not have its own artistic or monument programme. In 1896, two neo-classical artworks were placed here: a fountain ornamented with lion heads by Fidél Kasselik, which used to be outside Terézváros Parish Church (it was transferred back to its original site later), and a statue of a ‘fisher girl’ by László Dunaiszky, which used to ornament Hal (Fish) Square, but it had to be removed due to the building works for the new Erzsébet Bridge.349 In terms of its plants, Népliget Park showed a miscellaneous approach. Ilsemann had to use the already-existing trees, however his idea was to create a dendrologically-interesting plant collection. He tried new species here; for example, this was the first site to plant Corkbark (Abies arizonica), which successfully adapted itself to the sandy soil and the Hungarian climate.350 The finished park became renowned for its plant collections. Ilsemann collected these plants through international exchanges. Contemporary sources praised the collection of trees and shrubs, containing more than 500 varieties; it had a distinct Lilac, Lime and Oak collection as well. In 1908, Árpád Kardos, the horticultural critic wrote: “For those who want to enjoy fresh air, see a beautiful park, botanically and horticulturally curious plants, who want to be delighted by the emerald green lawns, it is better to go to Népliget Park than to Városliget Park, which was fully built with monstrous museums and palaces, and on a summer Sunday is nearly impossible to enjoy. For he who can take pleasure in plants, green lawns and blue sky, no better and more enjoyable place in Budapest can be recommended for a day out.’’3Sl The popularity of the park can be underpinned by examples such as Pál Lutzenbacher who, in his will, left 10 000 krone to be used flexibly by the head gardener to improve the park.352 The Grand restaurant of Népliget Park, postcard, 1905 / MKVM 114
