Százados negyed

What secrets hide behind the vibrant walls of Budapest’s Százados negyed? This artists’ colony, tucked away in what was once the outskirts of Józsefváros, has a history as colorful as the palettes of its former residents. Százados negyed wasn’t always the bustling artistic hub we see today. In 1911, it was a field of cabbages. Sculptors Ede Kallós and Géza Horváth, frustrated by the lack of studio space in Budapest, rallied their fellow artists. They petitioned the city for proper workspaces. The city listened. They granted funds for the construction of 32 apartments, a haven for artists to create and collaborate. The chosen location, Százados Road, was then considered a remote area. Fifteen single-story houses sprang up, designed specifically for the needs of sculptors and painters. The colony on Százados negyed offered a mix of living and working spaces. There were studios attached to one, two, and three-room apartments. The rent was kept deliberately low, intended to cover only the interest on the investment. By November 1911, the houses were complete, equipped with running water and toilets. While electricity didn’t arrive until 1923, the artists quickly settled into their new creative sanctuary in Százados negyed. The colony was designed by Sándor Wossala, but multiple contractors were involved in the construction. This led to inconsistencies in quality. Some roofs proved unstable in the wind. This issue was addressed and the colony thrived. The artists, grateful for their new home, presented Mayor István Bárczy with a silver plaque on a marble plate, a symbol of their appreciation. The plaque featured a relief of the mayor and a depiction of the colony houses. During the economic crisis, some artists even paid their rent with their artwork, further cementing the artistic spirit of Százados negyed. Originally part of Kőbánya, Százados negyed became part of Józsefváros in 1949. The district council undertook major renovations in the 1960s. Százados negyed, a testament to the enduring power of art, was declared a monument in 1985. It’s not just a historical relic. It continues to house working artists. Százados negyed remains a vibrant part of Budapest’s artistic landscape, a living legacy of those cabbage fields transformed into a creative haven.