Széchenyi-hegyi TV-torony

Rising from the Buda Hills, the Széchenyi-hegyi TV-torony stands tall. It has been a beacon of communication for decades. It first transmitted signals in 1958. The tower originally stood at 53 meters. It housed East German equipment, a French microwave system, and later, VHF radio broadcasting capabilities. A 38-meter antenna mast with a four-story butterfly antenna crowned the structure. The Széchenyi-hegyi TV-torony broadcast the very first test transmissions for Hungary’s television channel 1 in February 1957. Just a few years before, in 1954, the first experimental broadcasts originated from a smaller temporary steel tower nearby. This was located at the former Hargita Hotel on Agancs Street. The current Széchenyi-hegyi TV-torony was constructed between 1956 and 1958. It stands on the site of a former golf course, the Apáca-rét, which was active from 1911 to 1948. Over time, the Széchenyi-hegyi TV-torony underwent significant changes. In 1975, a new, taller antenna tower was built. It reached 192 meters and also carries radio signals. The original building now primarily handles microwave transmissions. In 1984, the tower’s exterior got an upgrade. The original dark gray plaster cladding was replaced with a more modern, insulated façade. This was due to weather-related erosion. The Antenna Hungária National Microwave Center also operates from this site. More recently, between 2008 and 2011, the entire complex including the main building and auxiliary structures underwent extensive renovations. This was in preparation for the 2013 digital switchover. By 2018, a complete reconstruction was finalized. A new VIP meeting room on the sixth floor now features enclosed exterior balconies, complete with fireplaces, on both the north and south sides. Today the Széchenyi-hegyi TV-torony continues to be a prominent landmark. It is a vital part of Hungary’s communication infrastructure.