Buildings Tell Tales – Budapest’s Hidden Treasures

Discover the secret life behind Budapest’s historic facades

If you’ve ever wondered what lies behind the elegant façades of Budapest’s turn-of-the-century buildings, photographer Vincent Baumgartner invites you to find out. His exhibition “Buildings Tell Tales – Budapest’s Hidden Treasures”, on view from January 20 to February 24, 2026, at the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library Atrium (1088 Budapest, Reviczky utca 1), reveals the city’s most beautiful hidden interiors — staircases, courtyards, and lobbies that silently preserve the memories of generations.

Baumgartner, a Swiss-Hungarian photographer and urban researcher based in Budapest, has spent years exploring the city’s architectural treasures. His ongoing Buildings Tell Tales project uncovers the charm of worn steps, faded signs, and layered walls that bridge the past and present. The exhibition brings together some of his most expressive photographs, celebrating the craftsmanship and stories embedded in Budapest’s built heritage.

A walk through time in Budapest’s hidden spaces

Each image invites visitors to pause, observe, and sense how history continues to live within the city’s residential courtyards. These are not ruins of neglect but living imprints of time, captured through the artist’s lens with quiet intimacy. The atmosphere of the exhibition blends nostalgia with discovery — a reminder that the city’s most fascinating tales are often hidden just beyond closed doors.

Exhibition details

• Title: Vincent Baumgartner – Buildings Tell Tales: Budapest’s Hidden Treasures
• Venue: Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library Atrium, 1088 Budapest, Reviczky utca 1
• Dates: January 20 – February 24, 2026
• Admission: Free
• Opening hours: During the library’s regular visiting hours

Whether you’re passionate about photography or simply love to discover Budapest’s hidden gems, this exhibition offers a captivating glimpse behind the city’s façades. Take a slow walk through these photographic stories — and let the walls speak to you.