You know, we live in Leányfalu now. But that's only been since September. Before that I lived in Budapest for 3 years, and I never, ever made it over to this hidden gem on the outskirts. Kispest, little pest, district XIX. More specifically, the Wekerletelep aka the Wekerle Estate. It turned out to be one of the most fascinating afternoons I've ever had in the vlogging game.
The bizzare, beautiful, brilliant buildings of architectural genius Kos Károly, a prominent member in the Budapest Szeccesió movement at the turn of the century, ring around a square he is named for. We learn about this famous man from Érdely in this video as well as the story of Wekerle Sándor himself, the very first non-noble Prime Minister of Hungary. He dreamt up this neighborhood as a response to the growing problems of overpopulation in the inner city. It was.a plan that borrowed heavily from the so-called Garden City movement which had been sweeping all around Europe and America at that time. The idea was to build hybrid, self-sustaining communities that would take all the best parts of living in the city and all of the best parts of living in the country and smash them together. Regrettably, this movement was a huge failure in much of the world, and the 'garden cities' became cesspits of drugs and criminality and violence. However, that couldn't be further from the truth in Budapest's Wekerletelep. It is an oasis of beauty in the middle of flat, industrial pest. Covered with garden houses overflowing with flowers unusual architecture, and most importantly friendly people. You can just tell that the citizens of Wekerletelep love living there. And I could certainly see why after this adventure. Come join me as we meet locals, learn some history, see the sights and sounds, and try some all too authentic Hungarian fare at the more than 100 year old Wekerle Resturaunt. A glorious day in May. 2022.
5 май 2022
