The five buildings designed by Imre Makovecz form an emblematic part of Visegrád’s built heritage. Thousands of people visit Visegrád every year specifically to see these works, so our mini-series is aimed primarily at them, as well as at anyone interested in 20th-century architecture, and specifically in the organic style for which Makovecz is renowned in Hungary.

This is perhaps the most spectacular Makovecz building in Visegrád, as this half-timbered structure with its monumental façade is situated right at the very heart of Visegrád. You can see it from a distance as you cross by ferry from Nagymaros, and it is impossible to drive along Route 11 without at least glancing at this distinctive building with its flower-adorned windows.

The building, which serves as the primary school’s gymnasium, bears numerous symbols. The section built of stone tells of Visegrád’s medieval glory, whilst the half-timbered structure refers to the village’s revival by the Swabians, as the settlers who arrived during the reign of Maria Theresa repopulated Visegrád – which had been deserted during the Ottoman period – much like many other settlements in the Danube Bend. Thus, a broader picture actually emerges before us, as all this goes well beyond the history of Visegrád itself.

Imre Makovecz recalls the design phase as follows: „The essence of the concept was to attempt to restore Visegrád’s original urban layout, as the current layout does not correspond to the medieval and Renaissance structures. Today, the streets run perpendicular to the old layout. We drew up a plan in which residential and tourist facilities would be intermingled – that is, flats, guesthouses, workshops and shops. We developed this as a half-timbered, medieval-style settlement – one that is, of course, extreme and surreal, a sci-fi version travelling backwards in time.” – From the town centre mentioned, this eventually became a tourist guesthouse and restaurant called Ágasház which, unfortunately, has since burnt down, and the Magyar László Sports Hall, which has undergone major refurbishment in recent years.

Source: www.makovecz.hu

Visegrád and Surroundings Tourism and Marketing Association
2025.10.31.