The restored neo-Baroque gem of Gödöllő

Renovation work on the seminar wing and the neo-Baroque main building, constructed in the 1920s, has now been completed at the Szent István Campus of the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences (MATE) in Gödöllő. The institution’s press release provided a detailed account of the renovation programme, which had a budget of 2.4 billion forints.

A comprehensive series of renovations is currently underway

In the first phase of the project, alongside the complete external refurbishment of the seminary building, the roof and façade structures of the west wing of the main building have been renovated. During the reconstruction, approximately 2,300 square metres of roof surface have been renovated so far, for which the contractors used nearly 200 cubic metres of timber. In addition, more than 10,000 square metres of façade surface area have been modernised, significantly improving the aesthetic appearance and preservation of the building complex.

Plans are in place to renovate further sections of the roof structure and carry out a complete restoration of the façade in the near future, ensuring that the building complex retains a uniform and dignified appearance.

The announcement noted that the square in front of the Aula and the fountain were refurbished last year, and that work on the landscaped area between the Aula and the Seminary is nearing completion.

A further 60 billion forints will be spent on the development of MATE by 2030

The report quoted Csaba Gyuricza, rector of MATE, who stated that investments worth around 50 billion forints have been made in recent years and are currently underway. „But looking ahead to 2030, we will be spending a further 60 billion forints on the development of MATE and, by extension, Hungarian agricultural higher education.”

György Gémesi, Mayor of Gödöllő, emphasised that the central complex of the Szent István Campus – comprising the auditorium, the seminary and the main building – is one of the most significant listed buildings. Abbot Péter Piusz Balogh, O.Praem, pointed out that,

No such work has been carried out since the university building was built from scratch.

Balázs Hankó, Minister for Culture and Innovation, emphasised today at the Szent István Campus in Gödöllő that Europe’s largest agricultural university is currently undergoing development in the areas of sport and culture. He stated that one of the aims of these developments is for the institution to rank among the top 10 agricultural universities in the world.