Baross Square

Baross Square, located in front of Budapest Keleti train station, is an area that encompasses history, architecture, and modernity. Named after Gábor Baross, a Hungarian minister known as the “minister of iron” for his contribution to the development of railway infrastructure in Hungary, this square represents a focal point for the city. Budapest Keleti station, which overlooks Baross Square, is an architectural masterpiece of eclectic style, designed by Gyula Rochlitz and inaugurated in 1884. Its construction was inspired by various European railway stations, such as Berlin’s Lehrter Bahnhof, thanks to the study trips of its designer. The station impresses with its imposing dimensions: the covered hall is 180 meters long, 42 meters wide, and 31.4 meters high. Decorated with frescoes by Mór Than and Károly Lotz, the facade features statues of emblematic figures such as James Watt and George Stephenson, symbols of the steam era. The electrification of the station with 70 arc lamps and 664 incandescent bulbs produced by the Ganz factory was a technological innovation of the time, adding charm to the structure. The station, which initially did not have an official inauguration ceremony, soon became an essential reference point for railway transport, connecting Budapest with regions such as Transylvania and the northern Balkans. During World War I, the station underwent some modifications to meet wartime needs, but its importance as a railway hub only resumed many years after the war. Baross Square has witnessed significant urban transformations, especially during the construction works of Budapest Metro line M4, which led to the redevelopment of the square and the repositioning of the Gábor Baross statue in 2013. The square itself has a three-sided shape and serves as a junction point for various public transport lines, including trams, trolleybuses, and buses, facilitating the movement of thousands of people every day. During World War II, Baross Square and Keleti station suffered severe damage. The square even housed a pool for air defense purposes. After the conflict, the station was rebuilt, and in the 1960s, further modifications were made, such as the addition of a restaurant and a new clock on the facade. With the construction of Budapest Metro line M2, an underpass system was created to better connect the metro to the train station, improving access and efficiency.