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| Philantia Shop window |
You might have come across already one of budapestUNDERGUIDE's Art Nouveau programs (http://szecesszio.eu/en), taken part on a free walk on Saturdays or you might have found one of the treasures on the Urban Geocache game. To get you in the turn of century mood, we will publish from now on regularly something about Art Nouveau, Liberty, Modernismo, Secession, or whatever you might call it in your language.
This week, we have Philantia, a little jewelry box on the menu.
Strolling from Vörösmarty square along Váci street, raising you gaze from shop windows you may notice the rythm of Art Nouveau and Clacssicist facades alternating. Philantia lies in Váci street 9, and is actually part of a hhuge building, the once so-called House of the Seven Electors inherited its name from a famous hotel ("Zu den 7 Kurfürsten"). An elegant establishment at the time, in 1823, Liszt aged eleven performed on its stage; the hotel hosted many glamorous balls. The present building was constructed in 1940, after the plans of József Hild.
Between 1862 and 1902 it accommodated the National Hotel, after which Corso Cinema moved in, and the house received a new entrance. Currently the home of Pesti Theatre, the staircase still preserves three allegorical female nudes as remnants of the 19th century.
Between 1862 and 1902 it accommodated the National Hotel, after which Corso Cinema moved in, and the house received a new entrance. Currently the home of Pesti Theatre, the staircase still preserves three allegorical female nudes as remnants of the 19th century.
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| Philantia Store Inside |
Philantia, in the corner of the building, has been functioning as a florist's for over a hundred years, the shopwindow and the bronze portal suggest a fairytale world inside. Original paintings, special flowers, ornate furniture, unique accessories expect the customer (be prepared for everyting!!). The store's interior invokes the age of Art Nouveau- as do the design objects on sale. Allegorical female figures watch over the orchids; chandeliers on a marble mantelpiece, leather suitcases, graceful statuettes and star-eyed dolls resting on the deep red sofa guard the magic of bygone times.
Kőrössy Albert, a pupil of Lechner and Hauszmann, designed the store whose name, Philanthia, means the love of flowers - Fittingly baptized, the shop is a true vestige of Art Nouveau, or, as the Italian term has it, Stile Floreale. The current shop owner takes the spirit of this magic spot so serious that it would be impossible to imagine a place more 'Philantia' than this tiny shop...
Do not miss it on your Váci street walk!
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