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Central Europe Architecture: 7 Images of Dignity in Disrepair

By Betsy Wuebker 9 Comments

(Last Updated On: February 25, 2020)

We photographed the faded, the forlorn and the crumbling facades. A theme – Central Europe architecture in disrepair – emerged. It was beautiful.

When traveling for extended periods, you begin to cluster your impressions. It’s no longer a trip which is segmented into days, but a trip comprised of themes. This happens, I believe, because we look for similarities. In new places, we draw upon previous experiences and proceed to compare. Familiarization such as this can be a comfort and confidence mechanism of sorts.

Such a theme emerged during our recent visit to Central Europe. I became drawn to the buildings with faded paint and crumbling facades. They were forlornly beautiful. They had a certain dignity in disrepair.

Here are several of the best:

central europe architecture bucharestOur neighborhood in Bucharest was under loads of construction. Surrounded by Soviet era apartments, this lovely shambles was typical. Bucharest’s heyday was La Belle Epoque, and our lady with the champagne facade would have been in the thick of it. Stately French Empire details were common in Central Europe architecture when Bucharest was known as the “Little Paris” of Europe.

Budapest was the first city we visited where the “dignity in disrepair” meme began to emerge. I noticed this corner house because of The House on Garibaldi Street. I know, wrong continent. But look at this house!

central europe architecture budapest

Garibaldi Utca

So then I took a close-up. Can you see the security cameras? What about the classical elements in the stone corbels and balusters?

central europe architecture budapest

Garibaldi Utca

Still in Budapest, but near the Danube’s edge on the Buda side, I think, is this beauty. Look how the Grande Dame arises! Did flood waters strip her bare from ankle to knee? Topped like a wedding cake with scallops and flourishes, she is.

dignity in disrepair budapest

Would you be tempted like a fleeing suitor to run from door to door along the narrow balcony? Do the street-level shops strain from the weight overhead? What’s the price of a flat? The square windows revealed some sort of dining hall or event space. It was easy to imagine the strains of a string quartet or a scratchy gramophone coming from somewhere inside.

central europe architecture vienna

In Vienna, the temporarily abandoned amusement park which figured so prominently for Orson Wells in The Third Man. Taken from the Ferris Wheel, the site looked unkempt. Since this status was uncharacteristic of Vienna, I included it here. Nothing more forlorn than an abandoned amusement park, is there? Just no scary clowns, and we’ll be fine.

central europe architecture sochiOur next contender is the dry fountain complex in Sochi, adjacent to the Discovery World Aquarium. This is supposedly a must-see, and serendipitously, it was right in the Adler neighborhood in which we stayed. Empty, the fountain’s energy is quite melancholy. I found myself wondering why it couldn’t remain open 12 months out of the year, or at least opened during the Olympics. We’re sure this is a lovely sight during the warmer months. In January, I felt the suggestion of walruses and penguins against the sunrise colors, replete with ice. What do you think?

forlorn2Finally, this, and I do believe I’ve saved the best photo I took of Central Europe architecture in disrepair for last. This was taken from the train somewhere in Romania. The green color is amazing in the way it brings out the wooden details against the stone.

I want to go upstairs and bring the clothes off the line. How does the stone exterior affect the interior? Is it cold and clammy on the inside during winter? Is it refreshingly cool in the summer?

I wonder what it would be like to face the train tracks. I don’t think there are many trains that go through. If that’s the case, and you lived here, would you even care what showed on the train side? I wonder if I’d think, well, if anyone even sees me in the window or my laundry, chances are they’ll never see me again. So would I walk around naked, not caring? Does the sound of the train interrupt frequently, or does one get used to it? Just a fleeting moment, yet I have so many questions.

Do you wonder about such things, or are we the only ones?

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Filed Under: Austria, Europe, History, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Travel Tagged With: Bucharest, Budapest, Central Europe, Danube, Hungary, Romania, Sochi, Vienna

Comments

  1. Antonina says

    May 15, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Very interesting, Betsy! It’s a pity you didn’t include Ukraine into that journej, we have lots of buildings like this.

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      May 16, 2014 at 4:51 am

      Hi Antonina – Welcome to PassingThru! I would have loved to have had the time to visit Ukraine on this last trip. Unfortunately, we needed to be in Sochi for the Olympics, and we were sad to have to pass. Thank you for your comment. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Tauron says

    May 17, 2014 at 9:13 am

    Betsy, Such a beautiful and eloquent interpretation of those beautiful photographs!
    You painted an amazing visual picture and brought them to life! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      May 17, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Hi Tauron – Thank you! It’s amazing what will flash through your head in the instant you snap the photo, isn’t it?

      Reply
      • carrie e says

        March 25, 2015 at 10:56 am

        This website is lovely to read.

        Thank you very much for your time.

        Much love to you both.

        Reply
        • Betsy Wuebker says

          March 25, 2015 at 11:09 am

          Hi Carrie – Thank you so much.

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Night Train from Budapest to Bucharest - Passing Thru says:
    June 12, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    […] Central Europe Architecture: 7 Images of Dignity in Disrepair […]

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    September 20, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    […] Central Europe Architecture: 7 Images of Dignity in Disrepair […]

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  3. Bucharest Gara de Nord: A Mixed Bag - Passing Thru says:
    October 11, 2014 at 7:41 am

    […] Bucharest, a modern business hotel located close to the city center in a mixed neighborhood – shabby yet still dignified Belle Epoch grand residences interspersed among Soviet-style small apartment blocks – undergoing extensive renovation. We […]

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Hi, I’m Betsy. I traveled the world full time for close to four years and have visited more than 50 countries. If you’re a curious and thoughtful traveler, you’re in the right place. No matter if you’re new to travel or an old hand, I can help you refine your bucket list!

Here’s to a happier, travel-centered life!

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