Csepel Works - a ghostly industrial district leftovers from the Communism

by büki

There is a part of town, which seems to be just chucked, languidly left here behind by the
socialist past. Though surrounded by decent, snug suburban garden houses from the east, this
part of the administrative XXIst district does not reflect anything of the twenty-first century.

Let’s see what’s left of a Leninist dream!

Nightfall, twilit sky and winter-cold: Spotting the red neon lights of the main-entrance gate
from the suburban raliway station and a cool shiver
goes down on your back. Nowadays you
are free to enter this “cathedral” of industries. Don’t hurry. Stop for a while in front of the
gate , imagine here the 2 meter 50 cm high statue of Lenin that stood here until 1990, as a
guard of production, reminding evreyone to the „good order”.
The generous and thoughtful gift of Moscow in 1958 (yes, right after the revolution of ’56)
did not last long and had to be secretly reprepared in the 70 ’s, the sculpture would have

by büki

otherwise rotted slowly away.
According to the legend, some bitterly funny workers in the 70’s put a slice of ‘bread and
dripping’ in Lenin’s hand….
The sculpture – along with other gigantic socialist masterpieces - can now be admired right
where they belong to: In the Memento Park. This statue park exhibits a few remains of the
communist dictatorship. Despite of the long trip, this one’s really worth visiting!
Passing through the now open gates of the works, you immediately fall back in time. The
original factory, specialised on cans, was built by a Jewish Budapester manufacturer,
WEISZ Manfréd. Year by year, the factory was enlarged by new, coal- and steel-processing
units, until by the late 30’s, this company produced almost everything, from pin to jet.
During the World Wars, its principal customer was, not surprisingly, the Army, which
boosted the number of workers up to 30 000! The factory buildings have been made up by
supplementary services, such as gym, workers’ hostel, grocery, canteens, etc.

by büki

The iconic product of Csepel, the only thing that could survive wars, every changing of
regime, closure and reshuffle of the factory, was - what else? - its bicycle. The famous, the
ultimate Hungarian vehicle, the Csepel Bicycle.
The rest is desolated. The decaying buildings are utilised by small corporations, eventual
manufacturers and ... skaters. What could be a better place for skaters than such a deserted
building?
I have to admit that the smaller production units still in function are nevertheless quite
impressive! Incredible, enormous, smutty, loudly chugging, fuming machines are shedding
heavy metal elements smouldering at a thousand degree!

by büki

If you’re fond of photography, this is a place of infinite opportunities for you to take stunning
pictures! Especially in twilight, when the grayish sky provides the background for the dying,
old buildings (just like my local guide - hobby photographer friend did, see pics here)

Some practical information:
Huge distances! Be prepared for long walks, or take a bike with you! ;)

This is a rather deserted place, with some shady figures and pye-dogs. Be careful, be aware!
Please avoid going there alone or entering at night!

Csepel Művek can be reached by Csepeli HÉV suburban railway from Boráros tér. Get off at Szent
Imre tér for the main gate of the works.

For more photos click here

related posts
http://budapestgolocal.blogspot.com/2010/10/memento-park-walking-among-communist.html

Ujj Orsolya

Nagyobb térképre váltás