What stories could these walls tell? This is the Széher-villa. It stands as a testament to Budapest’s rich history and architectural evolution.
The Széher-villa is located between Budakeszi Road and Harshegyi Road. Specifically, it is in the southern part of Ferenc Hill. This romantic villa has one floor. It sits within a large park. The park spans 13,993 square meters.
This building exemplifies Swiss-style villas. These villas with their timbered structure were popular in the 19th century. They remained so until World War I.
Originally a classicist building stood here. The land was divided in 1842. In the 1850s and 60s the house was expanded. It gained a floor and a wooden veranda. These additions reflected the Romantic style. Its intricately designed veranda holds special significance. It stands out within Hungary’s architectural heritage. The Kochmeister villa has a similar architectural element.
The Széher-villa also boasts an old park. This park has maintained its original size since the 19th century. It is a valuable asset independent of the building.
The park is divided into two parts. The front garden lies before the villa. Trees and shrubs mainly define this space. The rear garden surrounds the building. This area feels more like a park. A newly built pergola stands on its right side. A single-story outbuilding from the 19th century runs along the southwest side.
The Széher-villa faces southeast-northwest. The main facade has six axes. The middle axes feature a richly decorated two-story wooden porch. This porch has a triangular gable. It also features openwork patterns. A pyramidal staircase leads to the ground floor of the porch. Stone vases stand on pedestals on both sides of the staircase.
Eight columns support the porch’s ground floor and upper-level ceiling. Two columns are attached to the wall. Six stand freely. The columns divide the facade into five openings. The openings at both ends and in the middle are wider than the others. The ground floor is glazed with many windows. A double door in the center provides entrance. The old casement door on the upper level has been replaced.
An interesting detail emerges. The outermost left window on the first floor was bricked up after 1959. This is visible in old photos.
The southwestern side facade has a double door. A single door leads to the staircase. To the left of the door, a two-part window sits on the ground floor. Above it, a four-part window is placed.
The facade has six axes. The leftmost axis slightly protrudes as a side avant-corps. Each axis has a window on the ground floor. The fourth axis from the left features a single door. The foundation of a removed room is visible before the door. The upper level has five windows with raised eyebrow cornices. The sixth window on the right has been bricked up. An interesting detail marks the second axis. A door was cut under the ground-floor window. It leads to a vaulted cellar.
The northeastern facade has two axes. The right side slightly protrudes. Both levels in this axis feature windows. These have raised eyebrow cornices. The left side shows this detail only on the upper level. A door below the ground-floor window provides access to a flat-roofed cellar.
The villa is covered by a tent roof. A hussar tower rises from the center above the porch.
Today renovations are evident in the Széher-villa and its garden. Facades show missing plaster. Water damage is visible above the base and under the eaves. The house has been insulated around the cellar and base.
The wooden porch is damaged. Parts are constantly falling off. The ceiling’s planking has been repaired on the upper level. The ground floor and staircase are dilapidated. Rooms accessible from the porch are covered in debris. The plaster has been removed in many places. Classicist doors and windows remain. They have been painted white inside and brown outside. The southwest section has been renovated. The staircase is in good condition. The wooden railing is intact. The steps are worn.
The two-story apartment in the northeastern tract is under renovation. The northwestern wall of the foyer has been altered with two arched passages. The windows and doors have been replaced. The rooms have new coverings. Repaired sections show cracks and water damage.
The villa’s outbuilding is neglected. It is used as a warehouse. A full-time gardener maintains the garden.
Széher-villa faces challenges. Yet it stands as a reminder of Budapest’s architectural history. It also recalls Mihály Széher. He was a key figure in the city’s unification.