Budapest in drawings

The readers hold a special book in their hands. Perhaps only few people know that the writer Erika Bartos, author of several highly acclaimed children’s books, was a graduate of the Technical University of Budapest, where she received a degree with honors.  Her talent and art evolved in the children’s book genre, introducing a new quality to Hungarian children’s book publishing, and also presenting the world of architecture to children. After Hoopla and friends had been taken on architectural sightseeing walks and visited Pécs, the author now comes up with an imposing book for older generation, in which historic architecture and the impressive buildings of Budapest play a major role.

Deservedly, the Hungarian capital is often listed among the most beautiful cities in he world. Now we have the chance to gain an insight into the unfathomable richness of Budapest through the medium of architectural graphics, taking the reader into the livable, catching world of festivities and everyday life. Plenty of additional information helps understand the city: the graphics are not merely about facades, but also explore the rich world of architectural culture. Covering a full range of features from the history of architecture and urban design issues to structural and building decoration details, from significant cultural public building types and memorial places to some preserved monuments of urban transport.

This book is not only a must have for those interested in Budapest. Understanding the buildings of the past and exploring  their values may contribute to their future preservation too. In addition, it is expected that some young readers of Erika Bartos’ work will be motivated by this book to choose the architectural profession.

János Krähling PhD, associate professor, Head of Department, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Departments for History of Architecture and of Monuments