Capital Circus of Budapest 130 Years Old

Budapest's first permanent circus opened on May 7, 1891 in the City Park. The popular establishment has undergone major changes over the years, with a succession of owners, several tenants and two complete renovations.

The plan to open a circus was already in the minds of the decision-makers of the capital in 1888, but the idea was not implemented until 1889, when Budapest signed a contract with Ede Wulff, an Alsatian entrepreneur. The contract was motivated by financial considerations, as at that time the income of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden did not cover the costs of its maintenance.

Therefore, the management of the institution wanted to attract more visitors with circus acts.
Ede Wulff became the first permanent circus director and was also a leading figure in the construction of the circus building. At Wulff's suggestion, the circus was built using an iron-frame solution, the idea for which was inspired by the design of a building made of corrugated iron sheeting reinforced with iron bars for the World Exhibition in Brussels.

During the First World War, the institution had a good financial income, and most of the performances were given to a distinguished audience.

However, in the Second World War, the circus was not so fortunate, as the circus building was also hit by the bombing of Budapest in 1944, causing extensive damage.

The building, damaged in the bombing, was soon repaired and then nationalised in 1949. This allowed the circus to continue operating without interruption until 1966 when the building was demolished by the capital.

However, it did not spell the end of the circus, as it was reopened in 1971 with a female director, Mrs. Gábor Eötvös, a descendant of the famous Picard dynasty.