Csikós courtyard, Buda Palace District – Hungary by Garten Studio Ltd.

Built in 2021 / 2025 Entries / 2025 Landscape and Architecture / 2025 Public Projects / Hungary /
gartenstudio.hu

The Csikós courtyard is the collective name for the open spaces on the western side of Buda Castle, between the level of Palota út and Hunyadi tér, between the Curtain Wall and the Palace’s ‘F’ wing. This area was re-connected to the circulation of the Castle Hill through the reconstruction of buildings and structures destroyed and demolished after World War II. The Tabán lift pavilion, the Stöckl stairs, the Hauszmann-style ramp and the castle garage’s built lift and staircase provide barrier-free connection from Tabán towards the Palace. The Riding School, the Főőrség Palace and the Karakas Pasha Tower have independent functions. The cladding and the ramp system of the Csikós courtyard are also suitable for hosting various festivals, fairs and events held in the castle. The area’s eponymous statue is the statue of the Horseman Reining a Horse.

The comprehensive and complete renovation of the courtyardyard was made possible by the construction of a 4-storey underground garage and the historical buildings. Historical research has revealed that the courtyardyard never had a unified spatial architecture, therefore in its current design it appears as an independent contemporary open space architectural unit that fits into the historical environment. This approach strongly represents the separation of the faithfully reconstructed buildings from the newly emerging space, where the cladding and equipment systems represent a contemporary design that is worthy of the historical environment. The general porphyry stone cladding of the square appears in a restrained manner to strengthen the character of the buildings, and its transitional design makes the cladding architecture an intellectual part of the buildings.

THE TURKISH GARDEN
A beautiful garden is hidden in a secluded corner of the Buda Castle’s Palace District. The oriental-style Turkish Garden, created as part of the National Haussmann Program, is located in the southwestern part of the renovated Csikós Courtyardyard. One of the main attractions of the romantic garden is the star-shaped mosaic ornamental fountain. The beautiful granite stone pool is decorated with patterned mosaic tiles, the Moorish motifs of which lend an oriental atmosphere to the new garden of the castle district.

The settlement that stretched along the western side of the Castle Hill, in the narrow passage between the lower and upper castle walls, was once called Jeni mahalle, or New Quarter. According to contemporary descriptions, the Balkan-style part of the city, stretching from the Karakas Pasha Tower to the Buzogány Tower, even had a mosque. When Buda was recaptured in 1686, the streets were destroyed, and trees were later planted in place of the residential buildings. From then on, the area was called the New World Garden, which existed until the end of the 19th century. During the designed, great care was taken to create the flora of the garden with a Mediterranean microclimate. The Mediterranean atmosphere is ensured by rose bushes and fig trees in many colors. In addition, the exotic garden also has wild grapes, quince and dwarf lilac. The romance of the Turkish Garden is ensured by cozy benches placed along the walls, surrounded by plants, on pleasant summer evenings. The panoramic terrace extending the entire length of the garden offers a wonderful view over the city.

• Other landscape architecture offices involved in the design of the landscape:
Garten Studio Ltd.
Landscape architects: Istvan Steffler, Edina Csákó, Franciska Helfrich, Miklós Hulej

• Architecture offices involved in the design:
Közti Ltd.