The History of our Building

The former site of our building was a Turkish fortification, the polygonal Aranybásya, which was largely destroyed when the castle was retaken in 1686, but its remains can still be found on the Bastion level. No written record survives, and it reappeared on the written page of history in 1872. The neoclassical palace designed by Ybl was commissioned by Count Menyhért Lónyay Menyhért, Minister of Finance and then Prime Minister of Nagylónya and Vásárosnamény, whose political career was notable for its great architectural merit and who was also President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences until his death.

The villa was owned by Baron Ferenc Hatvany sometime between 1915 and 1923, and from then on became an emblematic point of Budapest's cultural life, home to many famous paintings and works of art. In 1944, a large part of the Hatvany collection was stolen, then hit by an incendiary bomb and destroyed.

The Aranybástya in its modern form preserves the memories of centuries of art. We aspire to provide an unforgettable venue and hospitality, as well as to enliven the lives of visitors from home and abroad with exhibitions and various cultural programmes! We want to create an opportunity for inspiring and exciting conversations and to provide a venue for intimate dinners, events and functions with a magical panorama and surroundings. To offer a dinner in a wonderful location, a cocktail or an afternoon cake that is irresistible to the eye and an unforgettable experience for our guests.