In line with modern building requirements, the Hall has a reinforced concrete load-bearing structure, but is as close to the original in both materials and execution as possible. The Buda Castle Riding Hall – part of the extension of the Buda royal residence – was completed in 1901 and badly damaged during World War II and remained in ruins ever since.
The Riding Hall in 1945
Ferenc Potzner, the architect in charge of the reconstruction told Magyar Hírlap that they did not only work from the original plans but also gathered all technical and execution documentation, drawings, schematics and photos made during the original construction, as some of the finished details were different from the original plan.
The end result is that – apart from the concrete structure not being visible anywhere – the building will look exactly as it did 118 years ago, when opened. The walls have thermal insulation, brick inner and outer linings and the facade has – like the original – been finished in Roman cement. The limestone for the stone elements of the building (such as floors, stairs and other decorative inlays) came from the same quarry. Wrought iron ornamentation is also identical to the original, as is the red and green English slate roofing.
The hall is expected to be completed by the end of 2019 and will serve as a location for equestrian events, balls and fairs.
