Built in 1820 Laszlovszky-major stands before you. Its history whispers stories of Budapest’s elite. This wasn’t always a center for charity. Once a grand estate it belonged to the wealthy Laszlovszky family. Their Tusculanum as it was called hosted high society. Imagine elegant carriages arriving. Wealthy families came for lavish dinners. It was one of Zugliget’s three best restaurants.
Laszlovszky-major was more than a restaurant. It was a social hub. Its popularity increased with the first regular omnibus routes. These connected the major to Pest’s center. The services started in 1832. They originated from Széna Square Tabán and the Vienna Gate. Even so it remained somewhat remote. Fényes Elek described it in 1837. He considered it a pleasant getaway but somewhat distant.
Laszlovszky-major played a role in history. During the 1848-49 revolution General Görgei used it. He moved his troops there in May 1849. He then moved to Óra-villa on Nagy-Sváb-hegy. The major did not offer a clear view of the battlefield. This episode is even mentioned in Jókai Mór’s novel The Sons of the Valiant.
In the 1850s Szekrénnyessy József leased the major. A prominent lawyer and Pest’s first public notary he organized social gatherings. He also established a significant lending library there. Times changed. The Laszlovszky family sold part of the major in 1901. The nearby Szarvas tavern took over the restaurant role. The building hosted a school and later a girls’ home.
In 1999 the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service acquired Laszlovszky-major. Today it serves as their headquarters. The oldest building on the site is the original 1820 structure. It’s a ground-floor U-shaped building. It’s been meticulously restored. It reflects the original design. It embodies resilience and change. Laszlovszky-major’s story continues to unfold in Budapest. A legacy of hospitality history and service lives on.