Szablyár Péter: Step by step - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2010)

Steps to our bellies - from the Central Market Hall to Lehel tér

■ The Central Market Hall: a iteel

Methuielah rejuvenated

example of how a roofed marketplace supported by an iron framework is to be properly designed.

Started in 1894, the construction was completed in 1896, but due to a major fire the building could not be opened before 15 February 1897, together with four smaller market halls in Pest (Hold utca, Rákóczi tér, Klauzál tér and Hunyadi tér). The various components of the building, which is considered to be one of the finest specimens of Budapest's Historicist monuments, came from a variety of workshops. Its steel frame was manufactured in the Schilck foundry, its ceramic tiles were made in the Zsolnay factory, the metal fittings were prepared by Ferenc Svadló and Gyula Jungfer, while the bricks facing the fapade were burnt in the kilns of the Dräsche works. In its chancel-like hall wholesale and retail merchants were given separate sections to work in, and the poultry market was also separated for reasons of hygiene. Similarly to the situation prevailing today, groceries were banned from the galleries running round the upper level, where only baskets, gift items, and stationery were allowed to be sold. Leading up to the galleries were symmetrically arranged stairs in alignment with the steel framework of the hall. Produce arriving on merchant boats was transferred to the goods50