Borza Tibor (szerk.): A Magyar Kereskedelmi és Vendéglátóipari Múzeum évkönyve 1976 (Budapest, Magyar Kereskedelmi és Vendéglátóipari Múzeum, 1976)
Konrádyné Gálos Magda: Képek a budapesti szállodák életéből a város-egyesítés korszakában
MRS. KON RÁD Y, MAGDA GÁLOS PICTURES FROM THE HISTORY OF BUDAPEST HOTELS AT THE TIME OF UNIFICATION OF BUDA AND PEST Buda, the preserver of traditions, was the capital only nominally as the scene of political and commercial life was already in Pest, where cultural institutions operated as well, when, in 1873, the twin cities were unified. Transport facilities promoted travel and the modern catering trade florished. The most renowned hotels adapted themselves to the new look of Budapest and contributed to the intellectual and social development of the capital. Grand Hotel Hungaria was opened in 1871 on the Danube bank. It offered a beautiful view of Buda. The luxurious building and its furnishing mirrored the wealth of capitalism. All modern comforts (hot-air heating, lifts etc.) stimulated the other older hotels to modernize. Hotel Europa (in the present Roosevelt square) was decorated by reliefs by Marco Casagrande inside and outside. This building was in part the home of István Széchenyi before it was turned into a hotel. In its state-room concerts and soirées were held. The Hotel "Angol Királynő" (Queen of England) was destroeyed by Hentzi's guns during the War of Liberation. It was rebuilt by József Hild. Many world famous people (Andersen, Liszt, Wagner, later Rubinstein, Hauptman etc.) stayed in its luxurious suites. Ferenc Deák, "the Sage of Fatherland" lived there for 15 years. Literary people, too, frequented the Café. Many great Hungarians used the Vadászkürt (Hunter's Horn), built by Mihály Polláck. Such great men were Vörösmarty, Petőfi, Zsigmond Kemény etc. The restaurant was one of the best and the Gypsy music was up to the hotel's standard. Hotel „Magyar Király" (King of Hungary) operated from the Napoleonic wars to the first decade of this century. The „Tigris " (Tiger), an outstanding building by Hild, lived its golden age at the time of the unification of Buda and Pest. When the Chain-bridge was opened the Hotel István Főherceg (Archduke István) was established. In the present Rákóczi street, near to the National Theatre —the latter was pulled down not long ago —was the Hotel Pannónia, much frequented by many of famous Hungarian authors and actors. 178
