Great Covered Market

The Great Market Hall of Budapest, also known as Nagyvásárcsarnok or Vásárcsarnok, is one of the most iconic places in the Hungarian capital. Located in the heart of the city, on the Pest side of the Liberty Bridge, the market is a living testament to the history and architecture of Budapest. Opened in 1897, the market project was entrusted to the architect Samu Pecz. The building, with its imposing iron structure and roof covered with colorful Zsolnay tiles, was considered one of the most modern constructions of its kind at the time, thanks to innovations such as electric lighting and advanced refrigeration systems. The market covers an area of about 10,000 square meters and includes three floors of stalls and shops offering a wide range of products, from groceries to souvenirs. The market was strongly desired by Budapest’s first mayor, Károly Kamermayer, to improve the supply of food to the rapidly growing population. From the beginning, the market hosted a variety of vendors, from butchers to greengrocers, with stall rents varying depending on the type of goods sold. For example, fish and meat sellers paid higher rents for the use of refrigerated display cases. During World War II, the market suffered severe damage due to bombings. Although it was rebuilt in the 1950s, the deterioration of the structure led to a temporary closure in the 1990s. A complete renovation, completed in 1994, restored the market to its former glory, and in 1999 the building received the prestigious FIABCI Prix d’Excellence for architecture. The market structure is divided into three distinct levels. On the ground floor, visitors can find a wide range of fresh food products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, cheeses, and, of course, the famous Hungarian paprika. The upper floor is dedicated to restaurants and souvenir shops, where you can taste typical dishes like langos, a kind of savory pancake, accompanied by local beer. In the basement, there is a supermarket, a fish market, and stalls selling traditional pickled vegetables such as cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage, beets, and tomatoes. A unique feature of the market was the presence of a short railway connection that linked it to the Danube riverbank, allowing for the daily transport of fresh products directly from boats. Although the canal no longer exists today, the market continues to be a vibrant hub of commercial and cultural activities.