The Central Market Hall

Its grand entrance makes this look like a train station – but you’re actually looking at Budapest’s Central Market Hall. In the 19th century, the city was experiencing a major public health crisis. Food was difficult to transport, food preservation was inadequate, and infectious diseases spread rapidly throughout the population. The Hungarian capital was desperate for a solution, and quickly built five indoor markets, including this one. Thankfully, it worked: access to food and its quality significantly improved. Still, locals protested against rising prices—especially during the inter-war period. The Central Market Hall opened in 1897, after eight years of construction. But this place offers more than just food. Let’s take a closer look at its stunning architecture. From the outside, the first thing you notice is the roof—covered in beautiful, colourful glazed tiles, made by the renowned Zsolnay factory in the town of Pécs. The structure was also influenced by neo-Gothic architecture, shown by its vertical and pointed arch shapes, reminiscent of medieval times. The inside is just as impressive. Its vast wrought-iron roof covers nearly 10,000 square metres of delicious stalls—spread across three levels. After being damaged and closed for three years of renovations in 1991, the Central Market Hall is now one of Budapest’s most iconic sites. After listening to its history, this is no surprise.