Haggenmacher-villa

Gazing up at this grand villa, can you sense the echoes of a remarkable past? This is the Haggenmacher-villa, also known as the Istenszeme villa. It began its life much earlier than the Haggenmacher era, as a simple inn back in the 1760s. The villa we see today is a result of numerous transformations over the centuries. It served as a family villa and later a children’s home. Now, sadly, it stands empty, a testament to time and neglect. The Haggenmacher-villa takes its popular name, Istenszeme or “Eye of God”, from a few legends. One story suggests it comes from the “eye” symbol in the villa’s tympanum. Another points to the villa’s terrace, offering breathtaking views of both Pest and Buda. This commanding vista led to the area being called Istenszeme-rét or “Eye of God Meadow”. A third tale speaks of a pond in the vast garden, resembling a lake, known locally as the Istenszeme-tó. Károly Haggenmacher acquired the Zugliget estate in 1880. Between 1884 and 1885, he rebuilt the former inn into his own grand villa. He adorned it with stained-glass windows and decorative tiles brought from Switzerland, always ensuring the Eye of God symbol remained prominent on the facade. Haggenmacher transformed the grounds into magnificent gardens. He recognized the natural beauty of the pond, planting sweet chestnut trees around it. These trees, a unique feature in the Buda hills, thrive to this day. This area enjoys special protection within the Buda Park Forest nature reserve. Sadly, the garden has been left untended since the change of regime in 1989, gradually being reclaimed by the encroaching forest. Tragically, Haggenmacher took his own life in this very villa in 1921, possibly due to failing eyesight. His will stipulated that the property should go to his brother Henrik and his descendants, with his wife Gizella retaining lifelong rights to use the villa. She remained until her death in 1929. The heirs promptly tried to sell the Haggenmacher-villa to the city for a substantial sum, but the sale was delayed. Finally, in 1940, an exchange was agreed upon, with the city providing other properties in return. The Haggenmacher-villa and its surrounding land became the property of the city in 1941. The city used the Haggenmacher-villa as the Kossuth Lajos Children’s Home and General School. It housed and educated around 40-50 children, many with behavioral challenges. A small Kossuth Museum opened within the villa in 1955, commemorating Kossuth’s arrest at the former inn. Sadly, the museum closed in the early 1990s. A plaque commemorating Kossuth’s arrest was replaced in 1999. The children’s home relocated in 2000, leaving the Haggenmacher-villa empty. It has remained unused ever since, its condition deteriorating despite the protected status of the villa and its grounds.