Budapest’s Matild Palace: A UNESCO-listed Gem Restored to its Former Glory.
zita kisgergely
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there’s so much to admire architecturally speaking in Budapest. This is one of the key reasons the city has become a hub of international film and television productions looking to shoot various locales and epochs in Europe.
The Matild Palace. Photo from The Marriott.
Budapest is home to so many drop-dead gorgeous buildings; its always a treat to see the ones discoloured with layers of grime from years of neglect tenderly restored.
That was the story for one such treasure, The Matild Palace. A neo-baroque building of yesteryear, it had been ravaged by turbulent times. Yet, it stood tall for over 120 years, gracefully welcoming travelers crossing the Danube from Buda to Pest. The building’s fortunes changed, however, when it emerged in 2021 from a five-year transformation to become the Marriott-branded Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel.
Built in 1902 during the peak of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the palace embodied a time of economic posterity, playing host to Europe's elite in its golden years.
The story begins with Archduchess Mary Klotild, who envisioned a touch of Belle Époque culture in Hungary. She commissioned the Matild and its sister building, Klotild Palace, to frame the Pest-side entrance of Elisabeth Bridge. The Matild held private apartments and a bustling café.
Photo from Matild Café.
In the early 1900s, the palace sparkled with intricate Zsolnay ceramics and breathtaking stained glass by Miksa Róth. It even boasted Budapest's first elevator.
From glittering royals to dazzling celebrities, the Matild Palace was the place to see and be seen. Its coffee house was the heartbeat of Hungary's café culture, where the who's who of the era gathered to connect and exchange ideas. One of Hungary’s renowned writers, Gyula Krudy, was a regular here.
Photo from The Marriott.
But as history's tides turned, the palace weathered wars, a revolution, and a decline under communist rule.
Nevertheless, the Matild Palace's café remained a cultural haven, even under the strict control of its state-controlled era, a testament to the resilience of both structure and spirit. It earned UNESCO protection in 1977.
Through various transformations, from Lidó to disco and casino, the Matild Palace has evolved with the times. In 2017, a monumental $80 million renovation breathed new life into this historic gem, meticulously preserving its grandeur.
Today, the Matild Palace proudly showcases its original Belle Époque elegance. Guest rooms pay homage to Hungarian craftsmanship, featuring unique headboards and fishbone-design parquet floors. The pièce de résistance? The Maria Klotild Royal Suite, a homage to the archduchess herself, adorned with crystal chandeliers and bespoke furnishings.
In this time-traveling masterpiece, Matild Palace beckons travelers, locals, history buffs–and film crews–to experience the magic of old world Budapest.
Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.
Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.
Sources & further reading:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/matild-palace-budapest/index.html
https://fromhungarywithlove.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/klotild-twin-palaces/