Consider Gerecze Péter a man of many talents. This plaque commemorates a fascinating figure in Pestújhely’s history. Gerecze Péter was born in Dés in 1856. He died in Pestújhely in 1914. He was an archaeologist and art historian.
This Gerecze Péter plaque is a tribute to one of Pestújhely’s founding fathers. While no street bears his name, this memorial honors his contributions. He wasn’t just an early resident buying land and building a house. Gerecze Péter played a defining role in the town’s public life. We remember him as a true scholar. He was an archaeologist and a dedicated protector of monuments. His work uncovering and documenting our architectural heritage is still valued today.
Gerecze studied in Kolozsvár. He later taught in Pécs for thirteen years. During his time in Pécs, Gerecze traveled extensively. He visited galleries and collections mainly in Germany. He attended art history lectures. By 1894, Gerecze had moved to Budapest. He became a teacher at the VI. district state high school. During school breaks, he explored Hungary. He searched for remains of Árpád-era buildings.
Gerecze’s commitment to monument protection grew. In 1898, he was appointed to the National Committee on Monuments. In 1905, he edited Hungary’s first inventory of monuments. Gerecze’s research extended to the Pécs cathedral. He studied its architecture for years. He published articles about its stones and murals. His interests included Romanesque buildings from the Árpád era.
Gerecze extensively photographed monuments. This was not common at the turn of the century. Museums bought his photos until the 1970s.
Gerecze played a key role in Pestújhely’s development. He was among the first property owners in Széchenyi-telep in 1898. Gerecze participated actively in the community. He helped establish the Széchenyitelepi Casino. He initiated Pestújhely’s separation from Rákospalota. Gerecze was a member of Pestújhely’s representative body. He supported local education and the construction of the Catholic church. He was also involved in the Pestújhelyi Sport Club. He supported almost every cause in Pestújhely.
In 2017, a memorial stone was erected for Gerecze Péter in Őrjárat tér.
In 1914, Gerecze excavated in Rákospalota for the National Museum. He unearthed the medieval village of Regtelek. This village was home to royal entertainers. They were called “regősök” until the 14th century. During the excavation, Roman stones were discovered. These stones were likely from Transaquincum.
During World War I, Gerecze photographed soldiers in a hospital. He contracted typhus and died in November 1914. He did not have time to compile his findings from Regtelek. Some of the stones and notes went to the Hungarian National Museum. Sadly, much of the material was lost.
“Kaparj kurta, neked is jut” or “Scratch, shorty, you get some too”. This inscription was on Gerecze’s house.
Gerecze was a conservative man. He created the names Őrinegyed and Mosónéfertály for parts of the town. These names reflected the social diversity of the settlement. Gerecze later regretted distinguishing between residents.
Gerecze’s villa stood in Őrinegyed. The building still stands at Szűcs István utca 16. A red marble plaque displays his humorous inscription. The inscription is barely visible today. The Gerecze family sold the house after his death. Apartments were created in the villa after the war. The current owner has been renovating the villa.
This plaque serves as a lasting reminder. It honors Gerecze Péter’s dedication to Pestújhely. He was a scholar an archaeologist and a community builder.