Nestled between the second and third districts of Budapest lies Újlak. A charming neighborhood with a rich history. Its name meaning “new settlement” hints at its fascinating past.
Újlak wasn’t always a part of the bustling city we know today. Long ago it was a depopulated medieval village. Bavarian and Württemberg settlers rebuilt it. They named it Neustift. This translates to “new monastery” in German. In official Latin documents it was called Neobuda.
The year 1873 marked a significant turning point for Újlak. It was incorporated into Buda. Later in 1950 it was divided between the second and third districts. The Szépvölgyi út street now marks the boundary between these districts.
The heart of old Újlak was around today’s Kolosy Square. A church and market were central to the community. The square’s name changed many times. It was once called Marckh Platz then Haupt Platz. Later it was Heu Platz and Pfarrkirchen Platz. Finally in 1900 it became Kolosy Square. It was named after György Kolosy a Hungarian freedom fighter.
Újlak also boasts a significant piece of Budapest’s infrastructure. The Buda Újlaki waterworks was built in 1881. This was the city’s first large-capacity waterworks. It’s still operational today. Located near the Szépvölgyi út HÉV stop. It sits between the HÉV and the Slachta Margit rakpart.
In the northern part of Újlak stands a testament to the city’s building boom. Between 1928 and 1929 the city built “urban houses”. These provided 460 quality apartments and 34 shops. They helped alleviate Budapest’s housing shortage. Architects Hikisch Rezső and Ferenc Paulheim Jr designed them.
The Szépvölgyi Office Park now occupies another significant part of Újlak’s history. The site used to be home to the Holzspach Brick Factory. After closing down the factory in the 1950s the land was redeveloped. The brick factory’s walls still stand. They serve as a reminder of Újlak’s industrial past.
Many famous Hungarians lived or were born in Újlak. These include the politician László Frankel. He was also head of the Paris Commune’s labor and commerce committee. Other notable residents included the poet László Móra and the president Árpád Göncz. Their lives are intertwined with the story of Újlak. This makes the neighborhood a vibrant piece of Budapest’s history.