The history of the Lónyay-Hatvany villa
The story of the Lónyay-Hatvany-Villa, home of the Aranybástya Restaurant, is not only the history of a building, but also reflects important historical moments in Budapest. The building dates back to Turkish times and has undergone many transformations over the centuries.
The former site of our building was a Turkish fortification, the polygonal Aranybástya, which was largely destroyed when the castle was retaken in 1686, but its remains can still be found on the Bastion level. After that, no written record survives and it was not until 1872 that it reappeared on the written page of history.
The villa became the property of Baron Ferenc Hatvany sometime between 1915 and 1923, and from then on it became an emblematic point of Budapest's cultural life, home to a wealth of world-famous art treasures, including nearly 800 works of art, mostly paintings, sculptures and furniture. In 1944, much of the Hatvany collection was stolen and then heavily bombed, leaving it intact. Finally, in 1946, on the initiative of the Hungarian state, it was completely demolished and replaced by a playground.
The reconstruction of the villa started in 2000, with the architect József Kerényi playing a major role in its preparation. The complete renovation included the reconstruction of both the exterior and interior spaces, with a strong emphasis on the interior as well as the exterior contemporary appearance.
During the construction works, extensive archaeological work and excavations were carried out on the site in Budavár, which revealed the remains of the former Aranybástya, as well as Arpadian and other Turkish artefacts, some of which can be seen in their original location.
Opening of the restaurant
For many years, the majestic building of the villa, abandoned and unoccupied, has preserved its long and adventurous history above the Danube and Budapest. Then the Aranybástya Restaurant opened its doors to the public in 2021, and in its modern form it preserves the memories of centuries, bringing the Lónyay-Hatvany Villa back to life.
The rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the place inspires the restaurant team every day. We strive 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 provide a venue for intimate dinners, events and functions with a magical panorama and surroundings.
The theatre, which can accommodate up to 120 people, has built-in sound and projection equipment and is the perfect venue for conferences, workshops and other events. The interior of the restaurant and its Panorama Terrace can accommodate up to 120 people for seated receptions, while the combined restaurant and terrace area has previously hosted standing receptions for up to 250 people.
Our mission
Our mission is to create a gastro-cultural and event destination where our guests can experience every moment as a celebration. The team's common goal is to deliver a guest experience with the right attitude and a high quality work ethic. Our core values are ethical service, commitment to our guests and respect for the historic traditions of the place.
Our aim is to find a solution for every event, and to provide a venue for both small and large events, whether it's a company party or a small family celebration. The multifunctionality of the building allows for a first class quality of events, enhanced by the magnificent panorama.
The restaurant team
The team at the Aranybástya Restaurant is more than just a workplace community; we are a cohesive team dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience for every guest. Operating in a breathtaking environment, our service-oriented team is built on an ethical and solid moral foundation, and is made up of highly skilled colleagues at its core. Our members are not only colleagues, but also mentors who guide new team members with enthusiasm and care. We believe that fostering a supportive atmosphere within the team is essential for exceptional service delivery.
